Coco Gauff has rushed to the defense of her new coach Matt Daly after reaching the final of the China Open.
The American has slightly precariously put together a confusing but nonetheless successful China Open campaign.
Now in her second WTA 1000 final, she is set to face Karolina Muchova for a shot at glory – the player she beat on the way to her maiden title in Cincinnati last year.
Having lost the opener against Paula Badosa, Coco Gauff’s inconsistency has ironically remained a rather consistent aspect of her current game.
The 20-year-old struck 19 double faults in her fourth-round US Open defeat to Emma Navarro, Gauff’s serving yips are yet to be shaken.
A shaky start against Badosa saw the American hit three double faults in the opening game before the Spaniard went on to clinch the opener 6-2.
Something the American is learning to lean on is gutsy surges. Another one guided Gauff to her second consecutive victory from a set down.
Coco Gauff defends new coach Matt Daly after latest round of questions
A dismal summer slide in results forced Gauff to part ways with Brad Gilbert after 14 months and her maiden Grand Slam title together.
Despite the immediate boost in results, with the American reaching her first WTA final since retaining her Auckland title in January, Gauff’s level looks no better – something not particularly surprising given how new her coaching set-up is.
The 20-year-old was frank in her assessment so far, in quotes reported by The Daily Express: “Obviously right now I’m very young, so I’m looking just for someone to help me develop in the long-term process, try to help make my game as complete as I can be.
“For me, I mean, with the relationship, adding Matt to the team, we literally just started like two weeks ago, so really only had a week to work with training-wise, then we had to come to China and the tournament.”
With no improvement of her serve or forehand, Gauff said: “We’re working on a lot of developmental things. He’s great. Obviously I still have JC [Jean-Christophe Faurel] on the team.
“For me, it was trying to find the mix of two people that work together well. So far, I mean, it’s obviously working result-wise. Just even behind the scenes and everything you guys don’t see, I think it’s great.
“I’m happy with my decision regardless if I lost first round or in a final this week,” Gauff rather bluntly concluded. “So yeah, I’m happy to have him on the team. I feel like he’s already making significant progress. Him and JC are working well.”
READ MORE: Who is Coco Gauff’s new coach Matt Daly? Everything you need to know
Coco Gauff is seeing immediate results – and that surely counts for something!
It’s certainly to be critical when looking at the recent fall of the American sensation. The sudden, slightly unexplainable loss of Gauff’s serving ability is no novel feature in tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka clocked 21 double faults exactly a year before she won the Australian Open.
While Gauff will understand her level has only fleetingly been back to where it should be this week, the 20-year-old finds herself just two sets away from a second WTA 1000 title.
Results matter for something. While a favourable draw has helped, if Gauff can win without playing her best then the WTA Tour ought to watch out for when she inevitably returns to her very best.
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