Coco Gauff is through to the Indian Wells Round of 32, after an impressive comeback victory over Clara Burel.
Losing the first set, she battled back well to level things up by winning the second set.
However, it seemed like she was destined for a first-round exit, but not before a miraculous comeback saw her rally from 5-2 down in the third to win the tiebreak.
But how did she conjure such strength to claim victory? She revealed all after the match…
What Coco Gauff told herself mid-match
Speaking following her win, Gauff revealed how these tough first-round fixtures often put her in the right mindset for the rest of the tournament.
Especially with how she reacted on Saturday, as she claimed: ‘The last tournaments I have done well usually I have a tough opening first round, especially with the biggest one was US Open.
‘I think for me it’s just getting through that match definitely meant a lot. Could have easily thrown in the towel.
‘Honestly, I was just telling myself, like, win or lose, I don’t want to have any regrets on the court. I want to be like I gave myself the best opportunity to win, and I did that.
‘Am I proud of how I played? Not really, to be honest. But the fight, I am proud of. I am eager to improve. I think it wasn’t my best tennis at all. I think I just have a lot of improvement that I can do to get better.’
Coco Gauff could go far in Indian Wells
Given that the toughest opponent on her side of the draw is Aryna Sabalenka, and the earliest she can face the Belarusian is the semi-finals should she get there, Gauff will feel quietly confident of going deep in California.
After all, Lucia Bronzetti, her next opponent, should mark a comfortable affair on paper.
Then, should she ease into the Round of 16 as expected, a true test awaits as she will face the winner of Naomi Osaka and Elise Mertens.
Given how she has started 2024, the USA tennis starlet will be quietly confident of brushing aside all of those in her way in order to set up a mouth-watering rematch with Sabelenka, where she will want to avenge her Australian Open exit at her hands.
That day the two-time Grand Slam champion was imperious, and it only ever really felt like there would be one winner.
Gauff will want to set the record straight, and although in a competition slightly inferior, Indian Wells represents the perfect opportunity to do just that in what would be a fine run to the final should she beat the proposed opponents in her way.
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