Coco Gauff hits her best stretch this year amid coaching changes

Coco Gauff has endured an up-and-down year so far this season. After winning her inaugural major at the 2023 US Open, Gauff began 2024 by winning Auckland and reaching the semifinals at Australian Open; but never quite found her footing again as seen at 2023 US Open. Though Gauff also captured French Open doubles championship and flag-bearered for her country at Olympic games; during summer 2018 however she struggled and failed to defend both Cincinnati and US Open titles before exiting in Round 32/Round 16 respectively. After her disappointing showing in New York, Gauff parted ways with coach Brad Gilbert and hired Matt Daly as his replacement. Now as season’s end approaches rapidly, it appears as if Gauff is finding her stride again; perhaps inspired by having more energy within her team or by traveling through Asia this season for tour events; on Sunday at China Open 1000-level tournament she defeated Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 for an emphatic 6-1, 6-3 victory! Gauff was virtually unstoppable against Muchova with 24 victories on the day and an outstanding serving performance which produced some jaw-dropping points such as this epic one below! Wow is right! Coco Gauff made her mark at Beijing with several incredible comeback victories against Paula Badosa en route to advancing all the way to the semifinals. She posted multiple comeback victories during this thrilling tournament. Gauff has won eight singles titles during her career and became the youngest champion at this event since Serena Williams in 2013. Additionally, she became one of just seven women since Open era’s start to win seven hard court singles finals at one go! Gauff was unaware of that stat when approached by reporters following his match; nonetheless he admitted it as “pretty cool. Editor’s Picks2 Related “Every tournament brings new stats or records that I find surprising or special, which make my thanksgiving all that much greater. “I would be amazed and honored if, since Coco Gauff, someone other than Serena Williams won it again! It means so much!” “Honestly, any time my name comes up when speaking of her is like an honor and no one has done this before!” Gauff is currently back among the top five after dropping out following US Open, sitting fifth in line for entry to year-end WTA Finals tournament in Singapore in 2019. She returns this week at Wuhan, another 1000-level tournament; another title would cement her spot at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Also from last week: Alcaraz Wins Again Carlos Alcaraz made history on Wednesday when he defeated Jannik Sinner at China Open to claim another men’s final win and shock many in tennis circles with another upset performance en route to winning yet again! As is usually the case when these players collide, this match proved an intense contest between two of tennis’ rising young stars, with Alcaraz ultimately emerging victorious after three hours and 21 minutes by defeating Del Potro 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-6(3) in three hours and 21 minutes. Alcaraz now owns an unbeaten career record over Sinner and has taken all three meetings this season, calling his rival “the greatest player ever seen on any court”. After their encounter, they both agreed it had been one of the longest matches ever witnessed at any tournament in tournament history. “He could’ve won in two sets; however, I could win two as well and vice versa,” Alcaraz commented after their close match. He could’ve easily prevailed had they changed tactics early. Alcaraz marveled over Alfonzo’s incredible tennis talent as his shots and physical approach continued unabated throughout. Cannot. Stop. Winning CARLITOS The moment Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner 6-7 6-4 7-6 for his maiden China Open title! Pic.twitter.com/zqCQFwMsJb– Tennis TV (@TennisTV). October 2, 2024 With this win, Alcaraz once more returned to No.2 position behind Sinner in rankings. While their match may have been closely contested and their rivalry ever-developing, after just hours later the two showcased how extraordinary tennis truly is by sharing a private plane to Shanghai for another tournament. “Tennis stands apart from other sports due to a distinct aspect,” Alcaraz later told Tennis TV. “After three hours of battle… where it came down to one victory and another narrow loss… two hours after winning I found myself back on that plane having some laughs with him and talking about life as though nothing ever happened before!
Alcaraz and Sinner both won their opening two matches at Shanghai’s China Open 500-level men tournament and have advanced to Round 16 so far. Before competing at China, Alcaraz and Gauff were selected as representatives for their tours by visiting Forbidden City dressed in traditional Chinese clothing before it started; at Sunday’s trophy ceremony Gauff was asked by reporters whether that trip brought any luck; someone told him it might bring it; when Carlos won he said to not mention anything… After Carlos won… perhaps the Imperial Palace brought them luck as maybe next year…?
While searching, try and select an image. As for me I like taking my time as there’s always more than meets the eye there is so much I need to learn and explore – the beauty is in just being alive in these times of uncertainty 😀 Simona Halep Returns | Hong Kong 125 OpenUpon receiving a wild card entry to the Hong Kong 125 Open, Simona Halep won her first victory since May due to injury by beating Arina Rodionova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in Wednesday’s first round – just her third match since her return from a doping ban nearly two years prior. Halep was originally given a four-year suspension after testing positive for Roxadustat; this suspension was reduced in March to nine months and she made her comeback at Miami later that month. She participated in only one other tournament before her comeback was threatened by knee injuries, making Wednesday an emotional victory for former world No.1 and two-time major winner Serena Williams. “Words cannot express how it felt to compete on court again after such a long absence and win my inaugural match after such a lengthy period in this sport I love so dearly!” she wrote on Instagram.
Djokovic was clearly delighted with how the day unfolded despite any challenges or signs of fatigue: “Today on the court was wonderful; experiencing introduction, support and love from Chinese fans this way was why I came.” Naomi Osaka Making MovesNear the end of her first year back after taking time off for motherhood, former No.1 Naomi Osaka has made impressive gains, rising just outside the top 50 after an impressive fourth-round showing at China Open – including defeating No. 21 seed Petra Kvitova three-sets to one.” Osaka had advanced past Yulia Putinseva before defeating Gauff in the Round of 16, before retiring due to back discomfort ahead of set three. Gauff graciously helped Osaka off of court before she later explained on social media that Osaka “locked [her] back up” while practicing prior to match-day and it gradually worsened throughout. “Definitely worth it though,” Coco Gauff stated, lending her aid after Naomi Osaka had to retire due to lower back injury and retire due to injury herself. Coco moved on into the #ChinaOpen quarterfinals scoring 3-6, 6-4, RET Osaka made her China Open debut with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou — though results weren’t exactly to her liking — on October 1, 2024, although unfortunately injury forced her to withdraw from qualifying in Wuhan and Japan Open respectively. It marked Osaka’s inaugural match under Patrick. After parting ways with Wim Fissette last month, Osaka sought the services of Williams (and Halep’s former coach). Osaka told reporters prior to China Open that she hoped it would become a long-term partnership and admitted feeling slightly nervous around him because of his reputation. “His persona caused me to want to avoid him just due to how large his presence is,” Osaka stated. “This wasn’t rude because later I found out it wasn’t true – but at first, it made no difference as to if he was good coach or not for Serena.” Does that make sense? “Initially I decided I was just going to do my own thing,” explained Mouratoglou. But after meeting and talking with him and working alongside him on court – both with whom were excellent coaches – their relationship soon blossomed further and it seems Mouratoglou enjoyed their inaugural event together as it offered “so many lessons learned!” Similarly, Mouratoglou appeared satisfied with this venture which “provided so many learning experiences”.
Team IgaShifting Prior to Year EndOsaka and Gauff aren’t the only players making changes ahead of year’s end; World No.1 Iga Swiatek also announced changes with her team on Friday: she parted ways with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski after three years, winning four majors titles and overtaking No. 1 ranking first with him alongside. During their partnership Swiatek went on a 37 match win streak thanks to him, including four major tournament wins with him alongside her coach as her mentor/mentor; in thanking Wiktorowski she wrote on Instagram post “Our main goal was becoming No 1 player worldwide and coach Wiktorowski was the first person who said so.” She concluded: “we set very high goals but accomplished that goal thanks to my entire sports team!”
Unfortunately, not everyone shares my enthusiasm about living long, happy and full lives – that’s why there is an ever growing movement against it – the more I come into direct contact with it, the less likely I am to believe what others say is right about life itself – this includes me! So my answer: don’t take anyone’s word for anything other than their own experiences as well as mine! Swiatek hasn’t played since losing in the quarterfinals at US Open earlier this month and said she plans on taking “couple of weeks” to find a coach from abroad and take the next step of her career. Due to this development she pulled out from this week’s Wuhan tournament without providing details as to when or if she will reenter competition. She has already qualified for the WTA Finals, set to kick off Nov. 2.To add some cuteness and entertainment into your day, take a look at this adorable conversation between Matteo Berrettini and the 7-year-old who was asked to accompany him onto court before his second-round match at Shanghai on Monday: https://twitter.com/518YhtEwCf– Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 7, 2024 Berrettini may have lost to Holger Rune in three sets 4-6, 6-4 & 6-3 but that shouldn’t change how sweet this encounter was: https://twitter.com/518YhtEwCf– Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 7, 2024 Berretttini made some new friends at #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/518YhtEwCf – Tennis TV) October 7, 2024 Berrettini lost in three sets (4-6, 6-4 6-4), but that shouldn’t change how adorable his encounter was: www.tennisTV) October 7 2024 Berrettini ended up losing to Holger Rune (4-6, 6-4, 6-3), but even that shouldn’t change how cute and charming their encounter was: pic.twitter TennisMasters-2024 pic com/518YhtEwCf- Tennis TV @ TennisTV__181813… pic.tt rdround of their masters 6/6-3 was still making new Friends @MattBer 7474 Berret 73 2024 at least!! Berretttini ended losing to Holger rune butcher rane but nonetheless being made new Friends at least made new friend’s #RavTenn 6-3 but that should change how adorable his encounter with 674 TV just how cute this encounter could have ended this interaction was made @RatTenn 74W!69WTennTv @ TennitViniTV @tennTV).BernVinI was that encounter too cute!!-7… BerretnITV… 7 666!!73766!65! Berretini! but did loses #WW10!! but… Berretini @MATTM………..!BernnT.7 76-3 6/66-4/65… but lost anyway…. but not being losing was as adorable!!! **final, too!! 6/65_824 for him 666…….! **Pun #TENNIllBernie ran just plains (TennITo5′ 6-463… But even so cute as #WhitainI’! but even so….. #tennSIrnITv707 7thFennTanNitnUS17TenN….. 7!** 668……..!73**…. but losing 6…..!!) 661 7 6… #TEN…!**IBerReTXScottRunMatchMate)!, losing… but……!!!!!!!). 6 674 rane rane had lost out… but…!!!!…..!! 7!!…… #TENNTnUS, though…..!!! * ** but didnt win….. but still #TENTS 20 24 20 24202025 had already!WisTV)…..