Coco Gauff’s frustration was evident at RAC Arena on Monday as she searched for answers against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in Team USA’s opening United Cup clash with Spain. The American struggled to settle against her lower-ranked opponent, but the night ended on a different note. The United States secured qualification for the United Cup quarterfinals in Perth, with Gauff remaining an indispensable part of the journey.

Team USA sealed its Group A triumph when Gauff found redemption in mixed doubles. Partnering Christian Harrison, she rallied from an early break to post a commanding 7-6(5), 6-0 win over Inigo Cervantes and Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers. The victory completed the sweep and sent Spain crashing out of the United Cup.

Moments later, the tournament’s official Instagram captured the moment, posting, “Q is for ‘Qualification’ ✌️🇺🇸 Christian Harrison and @CocoGauff def. Cavalle-Reimers/Cervantes 7-6(5) 6-0 to seal Team USA’s spot in the final eight.”

Gauff quickly shared the post to her own story, adding a candid note: “lol had to redeem myself, glad to be moving through to the quarterfinals 🙏🏾🙏🏾 shoutout taylor and christian.”

The mixed doubles victory came with a sharp contrast earlier in the day. Coco Gauff began Monday with a surprising singles defeat. The loss stunned fans and shifted the tone of Team USA’s United Cup tie as Gauff suffered a three-set defeat to World No. 42 Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the opening match. 

At RAC Arena, Bouzas Maneiro delivered one of the biggest wins of her career. She upset World No. 4 Gauff 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-0 in dominant fashion. The loss snapped Gauff’s perfect United Cup record. She had entered the match 6-0 in singles and 9-0 overall across singles and doubles.

Bouzas Maneiro set the tone immediately. She broke Gauff in the opening game and surged to a 5-0 lead. The Spaniard broke serve in all four of Gauff’s service games in the first set. She finished the match with nine breaks in total.

Her forehand powered the early charge. It produced 11 winners across the match. Her return game proved just as effective. Combined with Gauff’s serving struggles, it dictated the outcome.

Gauff landed only 60% of her first serves. She won just under 60% of those points. Fourteen double faults and 54 unforced errors added to her troubles. Bouzas Maneiro matched Gauff’s first-serve numbers but kept her errors lower at 41. She converted nine of her 12 break-point chances.

Despite the struggles, Gauff showed fight. She rallied from 4-1 down in the second set. She forced a tiebreak and took it to extend the match. For a moment, a comeback seemed possible.

That hope faded quickly in the decider. Bouzas Maneiro broke serve to open the third set. She saved two break points in a long five-deuce game and raced to a 4-0 lead. After 2 hours and 12 minutes, she sealed the win with a bagel. The victory also served as redemption after she had been blanked in a deciding set earlier in the week.

However, the tie remained alive thanks to Taylor Fritz. World No. 9 Fritz saved a match point against Jaume Munar in a must-win clash. He eventually prevailed 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(6) after three hours and 14 minutes. “It was a crazy match,” Fritz said. “I thought Jaume played very well. I felt I was in a lot of his service games but he played so well on so many of the big points.”

Fritz endured physical adversity late in the match. He took a seven-minute medical timeout at 4-all in the third set to treat a bloodied toe. He still saved a break point in the next game and pushed through. 

And as Gauff now looks ahead to the quarterfinals, she has also clarified her recent comments about American fan support. She hopes to bring her full force when the United States returns to court.

Coco Gauff addresses backlash after criticizing American fans’ support

A few days ago at the United Cup press conference, Coco Gauff spoke openly about American fan support at tournaments outside the United States. “I feel like we’re definitely, in the tennis department, the worst,” she said. That single line sparked widespread backlash. Many fans felt the comment was too harsh, while others questioned her intent. 

However, ahead of her match against Spain’s Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro, Gauff decided to address the reaction herself. She took to X to explain what she meant and to calm the growing controversy. 

“I’m going to clarify because people are dragging this out of context,” Gauff wrote. “I’m not expecting people to travel to tournaments to watch us play.” She made it clear that her comments were not a demand for fans to fly across the world to support American players.

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She added further context to her explanation. “But there are many tournaments that we have in America and abroad where Americans are already attending, regardless of who is playing (excluding U.S. Open), where people come and don’t really cheer for their countryman player,” she said.

Taylor Fritz also entered the conversation to support his teammate. He shared his view on X, calling out those who misread Gauff’s remarks. “People always wanna take things in the worst possible way,” he wrote, backing her perspective and urging fans to consider the full context.

Now refreshed by a key win and renewed clarity, Gauff shifts her full focus to the quarterfinals. Alongside Fritz and the rest of Team USA, she hopes for strong backing as the title defense continues.

The United States will face the best runner-up in Perth for a place in the semifinals, with the winners advancing to Sydney.