Coco Gauff advances to the US Open's Round of 16 to face Naomi Osaka, propelled by her strong serve

In a confident display of tennis, 18-year-old Coco Gauff secured her place in the U.S. Open's fourth round with a convincing victory over No. 28 Magdalena Frech. The scoreline read 6-3, 6-1, marking a stress-free outing for the American star.

Gauff's serve remained unbroken throughout the match, and she took seven out of eight service games. Her percentage of first serves has shown a steady improvement, rising from 61%, 69%, to 76%. Moreover, she managed to drastically reduce her double-faults, recording only four in comparison to seven in her previous game.

The young tennis sensation has been working closely with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who is renowned for his work with Aryna Sabalenka. MacMillan has been instrumental in helping Gauff optimise her serve, a move that seems to be paying off.

Gauff's performance was not just a testament to her technical skills but also a reflection of her mental strength. After a challenging emotional struggle in her previous match, Gauff felt lighter going on court for this third-round encounter, buoyed by the support she has received. She expressed pride in her mental effort and considers this match as a step in the right direction.

The fourth round will see Gauff face a familiar foe in the form of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Despite their friendly relationship, the two are not extremely close. Interestingly, Gauff has won their past two meetings.

Gauff sees this encounter as an advantage because it removes the pressure of being the favourite. She expressed that she did not want to experience the emotional struggles she faced in her previous match on court again.

In an earlier meeting, Gauff had shown support for Osaka when she helped the Japanese player off the court after an injury in Beijing last year. Osaka, in turn, attended Gauff's U.S. Open title run in 2023.

With 16 trips to the Round of 16 in a major, Gauff stands second only to Venus Williams among American women before their 22nd birthday in the Open era. Her rapid improvements in her serve and her mental resilience are clear indicators of a promising future in the world of tennis.

Coco Gauff advances to the US Open's Round of 16 to face Naomi Osaka, propelled by her strong serve