"Yet she faltered when serving for the match at 5-4 in the third, conceding two double faults and a pair of forehand errors as Tomljanovic levelled at 5-5. The 21-year-old American responded instantly, breaking back before sealing victory at her second attempt with a crisp backhand winner down the line, lifting her arms to the crowd in relief as much as celebration."
"Her serve remains a clear work in progress despite recent changes to her team, including the addition of biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan. Gauff admitted the past week of practice had been punishing: I was spending a lot of time on court literally serving until my shoulder was hurting, she said. It's like learning a new language I know this is the part of my game that needs to improve if I want to get the results I want."
"The tension was evident in the deciding set. That game where I served at 5-4 was definitely like an old habit, she said. The next game was a lot better. At 6-5 I told myself, trust the work we did on court. Tomljanovic, ranked 79th, had her chances too. The Australian committed 56 unforced errors and eight service breaks of her own, her heavy forehand threatening at times but ultimately too erratic to deliver the upset."
Coco Gauff edged Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in a 2hr 57min first-round US Open match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff served inconsistently, committing 10 double faults and being broken six times, yet produced crucial breaks and a decisive down-the-line backhand winner to seal victory. She rallied to win the opening set after coming back from a break down, twice led in the second, and faltered while serving for the match before recovering. Gauff described intensive serving practice with biomechanics support and identified serve improvement as a priority. Tomljanovic hit 56 unforced errors and could not sustain the upset.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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