Coco Gauff enters U.S. Open with improved serve and forehand mechanics
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 9:16 AM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026
Coco Gauff begins her U.S. Open campaign at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night against Zeynep Sönmez. The world No. 4 enters the tournament following a run to the Cincinnati Open title, where she secured a straight-sets victory over Jessica Pegula. Statistical analysis indicates a reduction in double faults and increased success rates on both first and second serves throughout the 2026 season. These improvements follow a period of intense focus on her serve and forehand mechanics, which she initiated in New York last year. Gauff maintains a 5-5 head-to-head record against Pegula and remains one of the highest-ranked players on the tour. The opening match marks a continuation of her pursuit of a second U.S. Open title after her previous victory in 2023.
- •Coco Gauff faces Zeynep Sönmez on Tuesday night at the U.S. Open.
- •Gauff won the Cincinnati Open final earlier this summer.
- •Her first-serve win percentage increased to 75 percent in 2026.
- •The 22-year-old enters the tournament ranked No. 4 in the world.
- •Gauff previously won the U.S. Open title in 2023.
- 9:16 AMYahoo Sports — Coco Gauff returns to U.S. Open, where she made the tennis vows that are propelling her forward
"NEW YORK — They are friends and they have been doubles partners, but Jessica Pegula must be pretty sick of seeing Coco Gauff on a tennis court this summer. Earlier this summer, Gauff came back from a set down against Pegula in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Five weeks later, Gauff blitzed Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final, racing to a 5-0 lead in about 25 minutes before winning in straight sets. Gauff has won four of their past five matches, and three of the four they have played since last year
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