The ‘first’ change Coco Gauff’s new coach Matt Daly has made after taking over from Brad Gilbert

Follow us on Google Discover

Coco Gauff made the big decision of ending her coaching relationship with Brad Gilbert and it is already paying off.

Following a torrid summer, Gauff opted for a new coach in Matt Daly and they could not have asked for a better start.

Gauff won the China Open and is on a eight-match win streak after beating Marta Kostuyk to reach the Wuhan Open quarter-finals.

The World number four is certainly a top contender for the title and she appears to have rediscovered her form and confidence after some difficult results at the Wimbledon Championships the Olympic Games and the US Open.

What change has Matt Daly made to Coco Gauff’s game?

After hiring Daly, Coco Gauff said their aim was to improve her forehand and serve.

The 2023 US Open winner was having significant issues with these two shots and that could not have been clearer during the losses she suffered over the summer.

The double faults continued to stack up and Gauff has served more double faults than anyone inside the WTA’s top 100 in 2024.

But with the help of Daly Gauff is working hard to be more consistent with her serve, and Sky Sports pundit Colin Fleming has noticed how they are achieving that.

“I thought Beijing was an incredible week for Gauff. It might be a transformational week in her year and indeed this stage, which is still an early stage of her career,” he said during Gauff’s win over Marta Kostyuk at the Wuhan Open.

“She just looks like such a confident player again after her struggles at the US Open. I think they have looked tactically first. She is hitting a few more three quarter first serves and trying to take the pressure off the second in that way.”

Who is Coco Gauff’s next opponent?

Gauff is set to play Poland’s Magda Linette in the Wuhan Open quarter-finals.

The 32-year-old has upset two seeded players in the tournament so far, Liudmila Samsonova in her first match and Daria Kasatkina in the fourth round.

Gauff and Linette have not played one another since the 2021 US Open, and it was a match that went to three sets.

The American rallied from a set down to clinch a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win that day, and if Friday’s clash in Wuhan is going to be anything similar, fans are in for a treat.