Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, commenced her 2024 season and began her defense of the Auckland Tennis Classic title on Tuesday with a hard-fought 6-4 6-2 victory over her American compatriot Claire Liu. While showcasing her powerful forehand, Gauff initially struggled to find her rhythm, occasionally over-hitting in the first set. Despite an early 4-0 lead, she faced a setback when she dropped serve, and despite serving for the set at 5-2, she lost serve again before ultimately regaining her composure to triumph over Liu’s resilient performance.
Having clinched her first major title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 last year, Gauff’s return to the court was closely watched by fans and analysts alike. On this occasion, she predominantly stuck to the baseline while her opponent, Liu, frequently and effectively approached the net. As Gauff settled into the match and found her service rhythm, she secured the second set more convincingly in just 35 minutes, ultimately clinching victory in 82 minutes of captivating play.
Reflecting on her performance, Gauff expressed her satisfaction, stating, “Happy to start off the season with a win. I needed to be tested. I feel like I played well today for the first match in a while and I’m happy with my level. Obviously there are things I can improve but I did what I needed to do to win.”
Gauff’s victory signals a promising start to her 2024 campaign, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead as she aims to continue her impressive ascent in the world of professional tennis.
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