Remember how Coco Gauff struggled to maintain a consistent performance last season before she went to Riyadh for WTA Finals? That US Open title, last September, proved too much for her to defend. Against compatriot Emma Navarro, the World No.3 failed to land accurate serves and committed multiple double faults – 38 in 42 service games. “I just didn’t take care of my serve, so that was the biggest difference… Too many free points on my serve.” When it seemed she had overcome her weakness in WTA Finals and then United Cup, it’s been now exposed again this season. Especially at the Indian Wells, invoking a shocking remark from an ex-ATP pro.
Gauff’s last event before coming to Indian Wells was in Dubai, last month. She was ousted in the first round itself after losing against compatriot McCartney Kessler. More than the outcome, what was concerning to see was the amount of errors she made – 42 unforced errors. The 20-year-old then entered the BNP Paribas Open last week with a victory. However, it wasn’t without struggles. Against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, she had to work a lot to snatch a win as she committed 21 double faults. During a presser, she later confessed, “I think if I just double-faulted less it could have probably been a straight-set match.”
After clearing the first round, she slightly improved on her performance in the R32 match against Maria Sakkari. Gauff beat the Greek WTA pro in straight sets with a score line of 7-6(1), 6-2. While it may seem she’s advancing in the late stages of Indian Wells, former ATP pro Steve Johnson believes Gauff may not end up winning the trophy itself. In an episode of Nothing Major podcast, dated March 11, Johnson made a shocking prediction while mentioning who he thinks could emerge as the ultimate champion on women’s side. Per him, “I don’t think Coco. Good Heavens!”
Aug 15, 2024; Cincinnati, OH, USA ; Coco Gauff of the United States returns a shot against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan on day four of the Cincinnati Open. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Explaining the reason, he added, “Like she can stop double faulting. If she can just fix that, then yes, she’s one of the favorites but she wasn’t playing that great, wasn’t playing with a lot of confidence.” On a positive, however, he commended her quality to fight back. “Obviously 21 double faults, but that shows how good she is to be able to overcome that.”
Gauff’s journey ahead won’t be easy at the BNP Paribas Open. She’s set to get a rematch of Australian Open fourth round against someone who’s already won a WTA title in 2025.
Coco Gauff may face a tough challenge against Belinda Bencic
Belinda Bencic has been in a great form lately despite starting the season with a loss down under. Interestingly, it came against Coco Gauff in Melbourne during the R16 of Australian Open. The World No.3 managed to win that encounter but it went into a decider, thanks to Bencic’s efforts. After clinching the first set, she couldn’t maintain the lead and lost with a score line of 7-5, 2-6, 1-6. But guess what? She didn’t take long to make a grand return in her next event.
After coming back to tennis, following a maternity break due to her daughter Bella’s birth in April 2024, Belinda went on to win her first WTA trophy at the Abu Dhabi Open. In the final, she beat America’s Ashlyn Krueger with a score line of 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. After 2023, it was her second victory in this event.
Speaking of Indian Wells, Belinda has been consistent so far. She opened her campaign with a dominating victory over Germany’s Tatjana Maria last week. The Swiss pro defeated her with a score line of 6-1, 6-1 in the R128. She then registered consecutive wins in R64 and R32 against Amanda Anisimova and Diana Schnaider respectively.
Gauff is currently leading the h2h tally 2-1 against Bencic. It will be intriguing to see if the tennis mom can turn the tables this time and take her revenge of that QF loss down under. Who do you think will emerge victorious? Let us know in the comments below.
The post ‘If She Can Just Fix That…’ – Coco Gauff’s Biggest Weakness Comes to Fore as Ex-American Pro Makes a Major Indian Wells Snub appeared first on EssentiallySports.
