Coco Gauff’s preparation for the Australian Open is over, as the USA are out of the United Cup.
It marked a solid run from the 21-year-old and her compatriots, but ultimately they did not have enough to topple a strong Poland outfit.
That was, despite Coco Gauff claiming her fourth-straight win over Iga Swiatek, having given her country a glimmer of hope with a superb singles victory.
Regardless of the outcome of this tournament for the USA, it marked a fine return to action for the two-time Grand Slam champion as she now heads to Melbourne.
This will mark the first real test of her 2026 season, to see how her new techniques can hold up under the scrutiny of a Grand Slam tournament.
Coco Gauff responds after the USA lost at the United Cup
Taking to X immediately after the team’s defeat, Gauff made a claim that suggested she was unwilling to brush this tournament aside swiftly.
After all, the USA had failed to defend their title from 2025, and for her, that will sting.
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As such, she made a promise, writing: “Gave it my all today… thank you for the support. Always an honor to compete in this event and for a team. We’ll do better next time ! #TeamUSA”.
Gauff’s win over Swiatek marked a huge one for the American, seeking some justification for all the work she has put in over the off-season.
It will be interesting to see if that kind of form and ability to overcome the world’s best players continues on the biggest stage.
How Coco Gauff is turning around her head-to-head vs Iga Swiatek
Gauff has been around on tour for what feels like forever, given her youth.
However, she has not been the elite-level star she is today that entire time.
Instead, the youngster was forced to fight through early-career struggles, particularly against the world’s very best, resulting in some rather skewed head-to-head records.
Gauff’s loss to Swiatek marks a perfect example of this, having lost her first 11 matches against the Polish superstar.
Fortunately, she is starting to flip the script, having won their last four encounters and the last eight sets in a row.
How far will Coco Gauff go at the 2026 Australian Open?
Their head-to-head now stands at 11-4 in favour of Swiatek, but recent form indicates that gap will continue closing as the years go by.
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