Coco Gauff has still been facing criticism from multiple angles despite the defending champion’s third round victory over Elina Svitolina.
Defending US Open champion Coco Gauff has looked relatively comfortable so far in New York despite entering the event in questionable form.
With Gauff controversially dumped out of the Olympics by Donna Vekic, she looked to relive the wondrous 2023 hard court run that primed her for glory at Flushing.
Diana Shnaider thumped Gauff in Toronto before Yulia Putintseva exacerbated American concerns a week later in Cincinnati.
Despite this shaky run however, the 20-year-old cruised through her opening round matches despite her forehand still proving slightly troublesome.
While her third round opponent was a different kind of test, with Elina Svitolina a three-time major semi-finalist, Gauff managed to put a ropey first set behind her to progress to the last 16 and extend her winning streak to 10 in New York.
Feliciano Lopez still has doubts over Coco Gauff’s US Open form
While Gauff has managed to avoid the early upset all defending champions dread, she still remains unconvincing to former player Feliciano Lopez.
Despite the comeback victory, the Spaniard still has concerns over Gauff’s level ahead of her fourth round match against compatriot Emma Navarro.
“She doesn’t look good,” he said bluntly while on Sky Sports after the conclusion of the match.
“In terms of level of the tennis she doesn’t look good. She doesn’t look comfortable on the court. I don’t think she is hitting the ball really well but she is finding a way. She has won three matches and now will have an opportunity to do better.”
With Navarro in the next round, Gauff is certainly set for an ever tougher test.
Despite the American having less WTA pedigree than Svitolina, the 23-year-old has risen up the rankings carefully and quickly all year and now sits at a career high of 11th in the live rankings.
Can Emma Navarro ruin Coco Gauff’s US Open title defense?
Navarro beat Gauff at Wimbledon this year, managing to find a truly remarkable level in two dominant sets of tennis.
With Navarro enjoying the best form of her young career, her rise this year has seen her pick up her first WTA title in Hobart, before a handful of deep runs at the majors.
A statistic that works in Gauff’s favour is her opponent’s record against top 10 players, with Navarro having lost six out of her nine outings against them.
With an all-American classic between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe already having taken place, another total blockbuster has been set up.
While Gauff comes in the slight favorite, I think it might be an impressive double of the defending champion on Sunday.
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