Author: Richard Pagliaro @Nowtennis | Sunday, January 5, 2025
Photo credit: Andy Cheung/Getty
coco goff Taking Australian transitional tennis to new heights.
In the Fed Cup final in Sydney, Gauff switched from defense to offense brilliantly, defeating French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-4 to help the United States lead Poland 1-0. Taylor Fritz repel Hubert Hekatz 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, the United States won 2-0 and won its second Fed Cup championship in the past three years..
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“I definitely think it was one of my best tennis performances, especially today, a high-level match,” Gauff told media in Sydney. “I thought we both played well.”
Gauff continued her peak form late in the 2024 season, going undefeated and earning Fed Cup MVP honors for Team USA.
This is Gauff’s second consecutive victory over Swiatek after sweeping him 6-3, 6-4 to win the WTA Finals last November.
In Riyadh, Gauff defeated US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, No. 2 Swiatek, No. 1 Sabalenka and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen.
In the past, Swiatek has treated Goff’s forehand like a piñata, pounding the weaker flank until it burst. This tactic helped Swiatek win 11 of his first 13 matches against Gauff, including a 6-1, 6-3 sweep of his opponent in the 2022 French Open final.
Work with a coach Matt DalyGauff slightly modified her extreme Western forehand grip and showed off the skill of shortening her wide returns on hard shots. Not only was Gauff strong in the forehand exchanges, but she also hit some nice forehand shots from close in, something she has rarely done against Swiatek in the past few years.
So will this Manchester United Cup victory be a turning point in a rivalry that was once as one-sided as Serena vs. Maria?
Has Goff really solved the Swiatek conundrum that has plagued her for years?
Swiatek said not so fast.
The world No. 2, who had her right thigh wrapped with tape, said she was not 100 percent healthy but praised Gauff for playing “amazing” tennis.
“Of course I’m happy because, you know, I also fought some heavyweights this week and some girls who fought really hard,” beating Katie Boult, Karolina Muchova and former said Swiatek of Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. “I was able to play against two truly great tennis players.
“Of course, I couldn’t give 100 percent today. Coco played great as well and, you know, she’s definitely improving. But overall, I’m very happy with the week. I feel like what I did was really good. Improved. But on the other hand, like, you know, the Australian Open this week is a different story, so I’m still going to take everything step by step and continue the work that I’ve been doing.
One result yields two slightly different perspectives.
World No. 3 Gauff believes that if she can play this level of dynamic tennis, she can stop anyone in the world, including the two defending Grand Slam champions ahead of her.
I believe I’m one of the best players in the world and when I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat,” Gauff said. “I thought I played some great tennis today. I’m happy to get a point for the U.S. team.
