Coco Gauff won her first match of 2026 in less than an hour…
The American number one made light work of Solana Sierra, dominating her 6-1, 6-1, in 57 minutes.
In doing so, she forced a deciding mixed doubles match at the United Cup, after Taylor Fritz lost to Sebastian Baez in the opener.
Which country do you think will win the United Cup?
In the mixed doubles, she joined forces with Christian Harrison to pick up a 6-4, 6-1 win over Argentina’s Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi.
Gauff was Team USA’s saving grace once again, guiding them to a 2-1 comeback win over Argentina.
If her two statement wins weren’t enough, Gauff sent a scary message during her post-match interview that should scare her WTA rivals.
Coco Gauff says she can play ‘even better’ than she did against Argentina
Speaking on court in the immediate aftermath of her win over Sierra, Gauff suggested she had even more to give.
“I’m really happy, it was a little bit of pressure. Last year, I was so used to starting first; it’s a little bit harder, but when you’re starting down 0-1, it’s a mental, mind bleep, but I’m really happy with how I played today, and hopefully I can continue this into the next match,” she said.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
“Really exciting, I feel like I can play even better too, which is even more exciting.
“It’s always tough starting the first match of the season, against an opponent like her, someone who played yesterday, is a great talent, and is an underdog in this scenario, but I’m really happy with how I managed all of those emotions.”
Gauff reiterated that point during her post-match press conference, after sealing the win for Team USA.
“I think there are things I can do better if I’m hyper-critical, but obviously it was a straightforward win,” she said.
“I think as the season goes, I feel like that stuff will settle in even more.”
Gauff was excellent in 2025, winning her second Grand Slam at the French Open and finishing the year as the world number three.
Official WTA Top 10
| Rank | Name | Country | Points |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus | 10,870 |
| 2 | Iga Swiatek | Poland | 8,395 |
| 3 | Coco Gauff | USA | 6,763 |
| 4 | Amanda Anisimova | USA | 6,287 |
| 5 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | 5,850 |
| 6 | Jessica Pegula | USA | 5,583 |
| 7 | Madison Keys | USA | 4,335 |
| 8 | Jasmine Paolini | Italy | 4,325 |
| 9 | Mirra Andreeva | Russia | 4,319 |
| 10 | Ekaterina Alexandrova | Russia | 3,375 |
Questions were asked, however, whether she had what it takes to close the gap to Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
If she can continue to play like she did against Sierra, and potentially even better, as she suggested, then those questions may be answered fairly quickly…
Gauff won’t want to get ahead of herself, though, and will be aware that she was expected to make light work of the world number 66.
But a win is a win, and she will want to pick up a few more before the end of the United Cup.
Who will Coco Gauff and Team USA play next?
Next up for Gauff and Team USA is a match against Spain on Monday, January 5.
Gauff is expected to play Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the world number 41.
The Spaniard is a step up in opposition on paper, although she did lose to Sierra earlier in the competition.
Gauff will enter the match as a heavy favorite, and if Fritz can beat Jaume Munar in the opening match, a win would seal Team USA’s spot in the quarterfinals.
The Americans are the most successful side in the short history of the United Cup, winning two titles.
United Cup champions
- 2023 – USA
- 2024 – Germany
- 2025 – USA (2)
- 2026 – TBD
With women’s world number three Gauff and men’s world number six Fritz leading the way, it’s tough to imagine anyone stopping them from winning title number three in 2026…
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