Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Coco Gauff survives US Open scare as Rick Macci predicts serve will dominate WTA

Originally posted on HITC | By Liam Llewellyn | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 9:41 AM ET

Coco Gauff got through a tricky first round to move on at the US Open.

She went up against Ajla Tomljanović, who didn’t make things easy for her. The Australian pushed Gauff all the way in their opening match. Gauff eventually edged it, coming through 6-4 6-7 7-5.

The American has brought in a biomechanics specialist to help sort out her serve, which has been a problem throughout the North American hard-court swing.

Rick Macci backs Coco Gauff to have WTA’s top serve

Coco Gauff has found it tough to regain momentum since her French Open win, exiting Wimbledon in the first round and bowing out early at both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.

She recently brought in Gavin MacMillan, who is known for helping Aryna Sabalenka turn around her serving issues. There’s hope that he can do the same for Gauff.

After watching her match against Ajla Tomljanović, respected coach Rick Macci weighed in on social media, saying: “When all the smoke clears Coco will have the best serve on tour and a second serve that is a monster kick.”

Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

He went on to say: “Her loose wires and jumping ability to put Humpty Dumpty back together correctly from the ground up is untapped, and that smoke will turn into fire.”

Looking ahead, Gauff faces Donna Vekic in the second round of the US Open. The two have split their previous meetings, with Vekic winning at the 2024 Olympics and Gauff coming out on top at this year’s United Cup.

Coco Gauff’s serve stats vs Ajla Tomljanović

Coco Gauff’s issues with her serve were still evident in the match against Tomljanović.

She hit 10 double faults and managed to win just 45 per cent of points behind her second serve, while also getting broken six times over the course of the match.

But on return, she found ways to make up for it. Gauff created 15 break-point chances and converted eight of them. In total, she won 60 receiving points to Tomljanović’s 43.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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