Gauff admits serve remains a work in progress

Coco Gauff scraped out a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 comeback to claim a place in the fourth round of the WTA Montreal event, with the top seed admitting her weak serving needs immediate improvement.

The former US Open winner delivered 14 double-faults as she managed to get past Veronika Kudermetova.

But the American  who had not won a match since her Roland Garros title in June, made no secret of the fact that she’s only just skating through on court.

“Obviously I am so disappointed in myself when it comes to that part of the game,” she said.

“I’m winning these matches having literally like one part of my game on a crutch. So it’s like if I can stand on both feet, then I can only imagine that it would be a lot more straightforward and a lot more easier for me.”

Gauff may well be embarrassed into fixing her weakling serve, a problem which has troubled her for months.

“I don’t want to lead that (double-fault) stat, and I want to do better. I know I probably won’t be ever double fault-free, but if I could get that to 2%, 3%, it would make a big difference in just making these matches a lot easier. 

 The fact that I’m winning matches and finding ways to win with that is definitely a positive.”

She added: “I’m a tough critic on myself. I know I can do better, and I know I should do better. It will get better. It’s just a matter of time.