Coco Gauff battles through serving struggles to win US Open Opener against Ajla Tomljanovic

Coco Gauff’s first match at the 2025 US Open was anything but smooth, yet she found a way to survive and advance. The No. 3 seed overcame a shaky serving performance to defeat Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 on Tuesday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, booking her place in the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Gauff, who famously lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at this tournament in 2023, has been working with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to fix her inconsistent serve. But on her debut under his guidance, the 21-year-old Floridian still showed nerves. She double-faulted 10 times, was broken in her very first service game, and surrendered her serve six times overall.

“It wasn’t the best,” Gauff admitted afterward. “But I’m happy to get through.”

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The night began with a double fault, setting the tone for a tense opening set. Gauff’s serve has been her biggest weakness this season: she entered the US Open with a tour-high 320 double faults, over 100 more than any other player. Earlier this month, she served 23 double faults in a single match.

Against Tomljanovic, Gauff experimented with a modified motion that initially produced much slower serves than usual, averaging just 88 mph on her first serve in the opening set. As the match wore on and the Ashe roof closed, she gradually found her rhythm, raising her average speed to 101 mph in the third set and even firing one 117 mph bomb. She also pulled off a rare second-serve ace.

Still, her serving jitters nearly cost her. Gauff twice failed to close out the second set despite leading by a break, and in the third she double-faulted twice in a row while serving for the match at 5-4. That allowed Tomljanovic to level at 5-all.

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What makes Gauff dangerous, however, is her ability to reset. Rather than collapsing under pressure, she immediately broke back and sealed the win with her trademark athleticism and backhand.

A lunging, over-the-shoulder volley drew roars from the Ashe crowd, and she closed the match with a crisp down-the-line backhand winner before raising her arms to celebrate. In total, she won 12 of 15 net points, supplementing her superb baseline coverage with aggressive finishing at the net.

Tomljanovic, ranked No. 79 and best known for ending Serena Williams’ career in the 2022 US Open, praised her opponent’s resilience. “In the first round, even if you’re Coco, it’s never easy,” she said.

Eyes on No. 1 Ranking

This victory was Gauff’s first Grand Slam match since her surprising first-round exit at Wimbledon in July, which came shortly after she captured her second major at Roland Garros. Now, with Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek within reach in the rankings, Gauff could climb to No. 1 for the first time if she makes a deep run in New York.

Her new coach, MacMillan, was visible courtside during the match, sitting just ahead of her mother. He previously helped Sabalenka transform her serve, and Gauff admitted his practices have been “really tough” and “mentally exhausting.”

“I was literally serving until my shoulder was hurting,” Gauff said. “But I feel like it’s moving in the right direction. It’s about not going back to old habits in the tight moments, and I think I managed that today in the third set.”

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The hard-fought win, nearly three hours long, reminded fans why Gauff remains one of the most compelling players in tennis. Even when her biggest weapon misfires, her speed, defensive instincts, and willingness to attack the net carry her through.

If she continues to settle into her new serve while maintaining her all-court game, Gauff could not only chase another US Open title but also the world No. 1 ranking, a milestone within touching distance.