Coco Gauff blowing an enormous lead versus Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan wasn’t the one detrimental factor for the 20-year-old as she additionally set two detrimental information along with her lackluster serving efficiency.
On Saturday, the American tennis star blasted 21 double faults in a match the place the top-seeded Belarusian got here again from a set and a break right down to win 1-6 6-4 6-4.
Whereas the current Beijing champion double-faulted 3 times in the course of the first set, she was nonetheless routinely successful her service video games so there was no cause for concern. However then, Gauff began to wrestle closely on her serve and that led to Sabalenka claiming a complete of six breaks throughout the second and third units.
The 20-year-old hit 9 double faults in every of the final two units and she or he even double-faulted on the Belarusian’s match level within the tenth recreation of the decider.
Now, Gauff has a brand new career-high for essentially the most double faults delivered in a single match.
Coco Gauff hit 21 double faults in her Wuhan semifinal defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. It is essentially the most DFs she’s recorded in a single match all through her profession. pic.twitter.com/UDp7rmP03W
— Christian’s Courtroom (@christianscourt) October 12, 2024
Additionally, she now leads the WTA Tour for essentially the most double faults hit in a match this yr.
21 – Coco Gauff’s 21 double faults towards Aryna Sabalenka at Wuhan Open 2024 is essentially the most double faults in a WTA important draw match in 2024. Error. #WuhanOpen | @wuhanopentennis @WTA @WTA_insider
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) October 12, 2024
Gauff stored it very trustworthy after the loss
After successful 9 matches in a row and placing herself in a fantastic place to achieve the Wuhan last and battle for back-to-back WTA 1000 titles, it was undoubtedly very disappointing for the world No. 4 to lose to Sabalenka the way in which she did.
Within the second set, the American was 3 times up by a break nevertheless it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient for her to seal the deal. Afterward, Gauff admitted that had her serve labored, she would have very possible ended on the successful facet.
“I imply, general it was a tricky match. Aryna performed nicely. I did not serve nice. I feel if I may try this higher, then it in all probability would go my means at present. Total, I used to be up a set and a break. Yeah, I used to be taking part in good off the bottom. She stepped up her stage,” she stated.
In the meantime, Gauff revealed in her post-match presser that she and her new coach Matt Daly made some tweaks to her serve. And since Beijing and Wuhan had been principally experiment tournaments, she wasn’t that shocked over what occurred towards Sabalenka.
“New issues. Yeah, engaged on a brand new factor. It is anticipated. I solely had actually every week to study it, then I went to Beijing. I knew it wasn’t going to be nice. I am actually, like, shocked of how nicely I used to be capable of do with it. We weren’t anticipating it. So yeah, I imply, general it is rising pains, ups and downs. Like, vice versa to Beijing. I had a day in between day-after-day to work on it, whereas right here it was type of back-to-back. I feel it was progressively simply turning into more durable as a result of I bought used to getting these reps in between the matches in Beijing,” the 20-year-old defined.
Gauff shuts down issues concerning her serve
Following a win over the American, Sabalenka informed reporters that she felt for her rival on the court docket as a result of she was battling an identical challenge along with her service in the course of the 2022 season. Additionally, the 26-year-old shared that again then, her issues had been technical but additionally psychological.
“I imply, I would not describe it because the worst time ever. I have been by worse issues in off-court conditions than not having the ability to serve nicely. I imply, there may be moments within the match the place you’re identical to, I simply wish to depart the court docket. I feel for me, I did not need myself to enter that mentality as a result of it isn’t going to alter something. I used to be simply attempting to be constructive. In the present day it did not work,” Gauff stated when informed about Sabalenka’s message.
Additionally, the 2023 US Open champion highlighted that she was assured that she would discovered an answer.
“Truthfully, for me I am not fearful as a result of I discovered the answer. I did not actually have time to work on it. Yeah, I am actually pleased with how the final couple weeks went. I am simply attempting to be constructive from there,” she added.
In the meantime, Gauff is now prepared to return to america and spend a while at house earlier than going to Saudi Arabia for the WTA Finals.
“I feel I will go house simply because it has been lengthy. I feel I have been right here, like, 4 weeks. Two weeks is type of when we have now to go away for Riyadh,” the American stated.
The inaugural version of the WTA Finals in Riyadh will begin on November 2nd and happen till November ninth.
When the season-ending event begins, the 20-year-old will likely be making her third consecutive look on the event. Gauff did not make it previous the WTA Finals group stage in 2022 however reached the semifinals final yr.