‘It wasn’t the best’ – Emotional Coco Gauff has emphatic celebration on court after securing dramatic victory

This wouldn’t be like Wimbledon.

It took nearly three hours, but Coco Gauff made sure of that.

The 21-year-old took down Ajla Tomljanovic in a highly-contested three-set battle 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5  in the first round of the US Open under the New York sky.

After securing the victory, Gauff let out a primal scream, one of relief with a hint of frustration.

It was an emotional moment that Gauff had been seeking since bowing out in the first round of Wimbledon in shocking fashion in her last Grand Slam appearance.

“Yeah, it was a tough match,” Gauff said after.

“I had chance to make it straight set. It wasn’t the best but I’m happy to get through to the next round.

“I had so many chances. Eventually they will come. Eventually one of these will go my way. It happened in that game.”

It’s clear she had been feeling the pressure since winning the French Open earlier this year.

ESPN’s Chris Fowler put it best on the broadcast. “Far from perfect…but progress,” Fowler said.

There would be no first round exit at this Grand Slam event.

The American star has now won 11 of her last 12 matches at the US Open since winning the tournament and taking home her first career Grand Slam title in 2023.

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Gauff had to overcome a handful of unforced errors, but she was able to hang on for the victory over the unranked Australian.

She will now face Donna Vekic in the second round.

Gauff split ways with coach Matt Daly in August after struggling over the latter part of the year.

She hired biomechanics expert, Gavin MacMillan, in hopes of fixing her serve and tightening up the little things.

MacMillan also helped fix Aryna Sabalenka’s serve a few years back.

After Gauff’s victory, she was asked about the sudden coaching change.

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“It’s an improvement from Cincy last week,” Gauff said. “I’m trying to improve with each match.”

Gauff lost in the quarterfinals at the Cincinnati Open earlier this month to Jasmine Paolini.

“It was, like, a very sudden decision,” Gauff told reporters ahead of the US Open on her decision to switch coaches.

“Gavin became available. I just felt this was the best decision for my game, and I had to go with what I was feeling.

“I know Gavin has had experience with this before, so [I’m] hoping I can just take on his knowledge and see what can happen.”

While Gauff hasn’t completely ironed out her issues, she did just enough to advance and will have another opportunity to keep her momentum going on Thursday.