Gauff cleans up her act to advance to third round

Coco Gauff lifted her tennis after a sloppy opening set, with the US Open holder advancing to the third round 6-4, 6-0 with a winning comeback effort over Tatiana Maria on Wednesday.

The American third seed double-faulted seven times in the first set among her 20 unforced errors.

But the flawless second set was a different story as she swept it to move ahead after 80 minutes, claiming the last seven games..

Her 37-year-old German opponent, who travels with her family, was unable to dent the Gauff confidence as the seed took command in the second set.

The 20-year-old has now won 22 of her last 25 matches at the four majors and will play next against Elina Svitolina after the Ukrainian beat compatriot Anhelina Kalinina 6-1, 6-2, winning on a fourth match point..

“I should have gone to the net more in the first set, but I did in the second,” Gauff said. “If I’d served better things could have been a lot easier.

“I feel I played well overall. I’m not feeling the pressure: I’m 20 years old and I already have one of these things (Slam trophy) under my belt.

‘I have the potential to win mre, either now or in the future. We are just treating the tournament like practice.”

Double Australian Open winner Victoria Azaranka advanced 6-1, 6-4 over France’s Clara Burel, who defeated former champion Sloane Stephens in the opening round.

Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic of Croatia stopped Belgian Greet Minnen 7-5, 6-1.

Main photo:- Coco Gauff starts her campaign to retain 2023 US Open title – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd