“I felt like I couldn’t really have a chance of getting a rhythm out there. But a learning experience for the next time,” Coco Gauff admitted after bowing out to Amanda Anisimova at the China Open. At just 21, Gauff already carries more Grand Slam experience than many players accumulate over a lifetime, yet the relentless rallies proved too much in Beijing. Fast forward to the Wuhan Open, and the reborn American showcased her hunger and resilience, defeating Moyuka Uchijima with breathtaking efficiency. In just 51 minutes, Coco Gauff achieved a historic feat, sending a powerful statement that her spark on the tour is far from dimmed.

Coco Gauff made a resounding statement at the Wuhan Open with a blistering 6-0, 6-1 victory over Moyuka Uchijima. The No. 3 seed barely dropped points on serve and fired down five aces to secure her spot in the third round. The display was ruthless, precise, and unrelenting, a stark contrast to her Beijing performance just four days earlier, where Amanda Anisimova had blown her away in under an hour.

Gauff, who avoided getting bagelled but served five double faults in Beijing, vowed to learn from that defeat, and she clearly did. According to Opta Ace, in the last three years, Coco Gauff (18) has racked up the most WTA main-draw wins on Chinese soil, edging Qinwen Zheng (17). Her Wuhan triumph wasn’t just a comeback; it was a declaration.

As the No. 3 seed at the Wuhan Open, Coco Gauff entered the second round with a bye, facing qualifier Moyuka Uchijima. From the first point, Gauff set a merciless tone, breaking immediately and racing to a 3-0 lead. The young American’s dominance was evident, signaling a statement performance after recent struggles.

Uchijima managed to get on the scoreboard once more, but that was all. Gauff rattled off the final nine games in succession, leaving no room for a comeback. Her serve, a source of frustration in previous seasons due to double faults, was nearly flawless. 

She dropped only five points on serve, landed 85 per cent of her first serves, and crucially, did not commit a single double fault. “Obviously today was a good match for me, I played well. Super happy to be back here in Wuhan and moving onto the next round,” Gauff said, her voice brimming with focus and relief.

Reflecting on the week ahead, she added, “No expectations, it’s the last tournament for me in Asia so I’m just going to enjoy my last week here and go back home and get ready for WTA Finals.” Her mindset is clear: perform, enjoy, and build momentum without pressure.

Last year, Gauff reached the semifinals in Wuhan, and this year, she eyes the same deep run. Her next opponent will be either Zhang Shuai or Sorana Cirstea, as she hunts for a spot in the quarter-finals and beyond. Every match she plays now is an opportunity to reinforce confidence in her game and her serve.

With her serving finally stabilizing and confidence growing, former coaches see Gauff entering the final stretch of the season with renewed optimism. 

Her Wuhan performance signals a resurgence, one that could carry her deep into the WTA Finals and beyond, proving that Coco is back and firing on all cylinders.

Rick Macci offers an optimistic take on Coco Gauff

Back in 2023, Rick Macci, renowned as Serena Williams’ childhood coach, had already flagged Gauff’s service technique as an issue and urged the American to emulate Aryna Sabalenka’s approach by working with a biomechanics specialist. Gauff heeded that advice this past August, hiring Gavin MacMillan, the same expert who famously overhauled Sabalenka’s serve in 2022. The goal was clear: eliminate technical flaws and transform a liability into a dominating shot.

Since partnering with MacMillan, Gauff has competed in the US Open, where she fell in the R16, and in Beijing, exiting in the semifinals. While her results have been mixed, flashes of improvement were undeniable. Her first-serve percentage stabilized, double faults decreased, and she showed the confidence to hit more aggressive serves without hesitation.

Yet, Macci notes there is work to be done. “Coco is a champion. She is just 21 years old. Her serve will become a weapon,” he wrote on X. He emphasized that a focused offseason is essential: “If she unplugs this December, does reconstructive surgery and rewires the muscle memory and learns the ATP forehand, she will be able to hold the baseline and dictate instead of defend.”

The metaphorical surgery Macci refers to is more than physical; it’s a mental and technical reset. Gauff must internalize the biomechanics, trust her body, and allow her natural instincts to take over under pressure.

However, the question remains: can Coco perform at her peak while maintaining composure, or will the occasional technical jitters and external pressures cast a shadow? 

For Macci, the answer is unwavering optimism. With focus, discipline, and the right guidance, Gauff’s serve isn’t just improving: it’s on the verge of becoming her ultimate weapon.