Written by Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 5, 2025
Photo credit: Andy Cheung/Getty
Coco Gauff took revolutionary tennis to the heights Down Under.
Moving from defense to attack in a dramatic fashion, Gauff downed Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to give the United States a 1-0 lead over Poland in the United Cup final in Sydney. Taylor Fritz he fought Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 for a 2-0 win over Team USA and their second United Cup championship in three years..
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“I think this is one of the best tennis I’ve played, especially in today’s match, it was a great match,” Gauff told reporters in Sydney. “I think we both played well.”
Following his surgery late in the 2024 season, Gauff earned United Cup MVP honors for an undefeated team in USA.
It is Gauff’s second straight win over Swiatek following her 6-3, 6-4 sweep en route to the WTA Finals last November.
In Riyadh, Gauff defeated US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, No. 2 Swiatek, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in succession.
Earlier, Swiatek was handling Gauff’s front end like a pinata, hitting that weak wing until it broke. That strategy helped Swiatek win 11 of the first 13 meetings against Gauff, including a 6-1, 6-3 sweep in the 2022 Roland Garros final.
Working with a coach Matt DalyGauff has adjusted his extreme western forehand slightly and is showing an ability to shorten his return on hard-hit balls. Not only was Gauff strong in the previous innings, he also hit the front shortstop, something he rarely did against Swiatek in years past.
So is this United title win a turning point in a tournament that once looked not quite like Serena vs. Maria?
Has Gauff really solved the Swiatek puzzle that has plagued him for years?
Swiatek says not so soon.
No. The world No. 2, who was playing with a strain on his right thigh, said he was not 100 percent, but praised Gauff for playing “fantastic” tennis.
“I’m really happy, because, you know, I played tough players this week and girls who played tough,” said Swiatek, who beat Katie Boulter, Karolina Muchova and former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. “I was able to play against a lot of great tennis.
“Actually today I couldn’t give 100%. Coco also played amazingly, you know, and she’s definitely improving. But I’m very happy with the week. I feel like the things I’ve worked on are really getting better. But on the other hand, like, you know, this week, the -Australian Open is a different story, so I will take everything step by step and continue the work I have been doing.
One result produced two slightly different opinions.
World No. 3 Gauff believes that if he can play this level of dynamic tennis, he can stop anyone in the world, including the two reigning Grand Slam champions ranked ahead of him.
I believe that I am one of the best players in the world and when I play good tennis it is difficult to beat,” said Gauff. “Today I think I played good tennis. I’m glad I was able to get a point for Team USA.”
