Coco Gauff bounced back from her frustrating WTA Finals defeat to Jessica Pegula with a comfortable victory over Jasmine Paolini.
Gauff showed signs of optimism with her serve against Pegula, despite hitting 17 double faults in their all-American battle.
Sam Querrey praised Gauff’s mental toughness in that match, which was her first at the WTA Finals since she won last year’s final.
Gauff recovered by hitting just three double faults against Paolini, but now faces another hugely tough test against Aryna Sabalenka.
WTA number one Sabalenka enters her third and final match of the tournament on the back of wins against both Paolini and Pegula.
Coco Gauff reveals what she did in practice after 17 double faults against Jessica Pegula
Gauff is, however, on a high after her showing against the Italian, after which she said: “I’m really happy with how I was able to turn it around. I think only maybe two or three doubles today compared to 17, that’s a big difference.
“I think it just shows that I have the ability to serve like this and it definitely gives me confidence to recount on this match hopefully for next year and even just throughout this week.”
And sharing insight into her practice day between the two matches, she said: “I think just going back to the basics and trying not to overcomplicate things.
“I think I was on the trajectory in China serving great and I think maybe trying to serve a little bit too hard in that match against Jess.
“So today I just tried to slow it down and let’s start with that approach first and obviously if I have to go bigger, I have the ability to do that, which today I think the ball was jumping really high so I didn’t really need to as much.”
READ MORE: Jessica Pegula makes surprising comment about Coco Gauff’s serve after beating her in the WTA Finals
Why Coco Gauff doesn’t feel extra pressure at the WTA Finals despite being the defending champion
Gauff enjoyed a stunning run at last year’s WTA Finals, where she claimed the trophy with a final win over Qinwen Zheng.
En route to the trophy, she defeated Pegula and Iga Swiatek in the group stages before a semifinal win over Sabalenka.
Asked on Tennis Channel after this week’s win over Pegula if she feels extra pressure as the defending champion, Gauff replied: “Yes and no. I think knowing that no one has defended it in like however many years definitely takes the pressure off.
“Honestly, I think yeah it’s a reason you’re playing the top eight in the world, this round robin format is so hard.
“I’m used to like, when I’m losing, sulking in bed for a few days, and having to come back and play a match is so unique. So yeah, I’m just happy that I was able to get through this one.”
As always, the 21-year-old is showing maturity beyond her years, both on the court and with her comments off it.
Arguably her toughest challenge now awaits against top seed Sabalenka, although the American holds a narrow 6-5 win-loss record over the Belarusian.
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