Defending champion Coco Gauff shook off her struggles on serve to reach the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over 99th-ranked Tatjana Maria of Germany.
The 20-year-old American, who has had an erratic season since capturing her maiden major on the hard courts of New York, had nine double faults and put just 44 percent of her first serves in play in what she called an “annoying” match.”I love Tatjana, her family. She’s very annoying to play,” Gauff said.
“I think tonight was just an annoying match. The balls, you were able to hit winners on them, but because she’s slicing it, you have to generate all the power.