Coco Gauff knew exactly how to deal with Karolina Muchova’s change of tactics at the United Cup.
The pair represented their respective countries in the semi-finals of the United Cup, with the right to face Poland in the championship match on the line.
The 20-year-old faced the Czech star for the fourth time and Coco Gauff maintained her unbeaten record.
In the process Gauff helped the United States return to the final as they bid to regain the United Cup title they won in 2023.
How did Coco Gauff respond to Karolina Muchova serving and volleying at the United Cup?
Gauff has had Karolina Muchova’s number so far, having won all their meetings in straight sets.
She continued that trend by defeating the World number 22 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 27 minutes to put the USA 1-0 up in the tie against Czechia.
During the second set with the match beginning to slip away, Muchova changed her style and gena to attack to the net by serving and volleying.
She was successful at times but it was not enough to stop Gauff from maintaining her unbeaten start to 2025.
Post match Gauff was naked about how she dealt with Muchova’s tactical change, to which the American said: “I know she is going to do it and my coach is telling me to play the best that I can when she does it.
“Anytime somebody serves and volleys I feel like there is a 50/50 chance you lose the point based off your first ball.
“So I was just telling myself to forget about her coming forward and try to get a good return in, and if she hits a volley winner, she hits a volley winner.”
Who will Coco Gauff play next?
Following Taylor Fritz’s win over Tomas Machac when the 25-year-old retired towards the end of the second set, Team USA booked their spot in the United Cup final.
Given Gauff’s status as her country’s top-ranked player it is likely she will face Iga Switek, the Polish number one, in the final.
The World number has also not lost a match to commence 2025. In fact, Swiatek’s last defeat came against Gauff at the WTA Finals.
This was just the second time in 13 meetings that Gauff has managed to defeat the French Open champion, and she will be keen to inflict another loss on her should they clash on Sunday.
Swiatek will head into that potential showdown with plenty of confidence after outlasting Elena Rybakina 7-6(5), 6-4 in the semi-finals.
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