Why Coco Gauff is a French Open favorite
Just a few short hours after winning her second tour-level singles title Saturday in Parma, Coco Gauff stepped back on the court along with best friend and doubles partner Caty McNaly to capture the doubles title of the same event. Her comfort level, along with her results on the surface are just a couple of the reasons why Coco Gauff should be considered a French Open favorite. In the following, I will explain other key factors for why the 17-year-old American is a favorite in Paris.
Recent Tournament Results
After struggling a bit to start the season, reaching just the second round in her first three tournaments including a disappointing loss in the second round of the Australian Open, Coco Gauff seems to have found her footing on the most slippery of surfaces, clay. Coco has reached the quarterfinals or better in every clay court tournament she has entered this season, save for a first round exit at the Mutua Madrid Open to sixth ranked Karolina Pliskova.
Last week at the Italian Open, Coco enjoyed the most success she’s ever had at a WTA 1000 event, albeit came in part to a head scratching withdrawal from world no. 1 Ash Barty in the quarterfinals after being down a set and a break. Gauff would reach the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in two hard fought sets 6³-7, 3-6. This week Coco competed against some tough competition in a surprisingly star-studded WTA 250 event in a small town in Italy. Competitors in the field included the WTA’s resident G.O.A.T. and winner of 23 major titles, Serena Williams, Serena’s older sister Venus Williams, Daria Kasatkina, and Sloane Stephens among others. Even with these potential obstacles in the way, Coco was able to come through as the last lady standing.
Improvements
Gauff’s results in these tournaments have not come from resting on her laurels either, she has put the work in, most notably on her first serve. It has become a legitimate weapon in winning free points for her. In addition to the serve, Coco’s forehand has improved as well. Though her backhand is still her best and most reliable shot by far, the rest of her game is coming along.
The improvements have netted Gauff her highest ever ranking at no. 30 in the world, becoming the youngest person in the top 100. Most of those rankings points have been accumulated on clay courts. Coco’s return game was strong during this week’s tournament in Parma, and was especially highlighted in the final against China’s Qiang Wang where she won an astounding 50% of her opponent’s points on serve and capitalized on four of her eight break point chances, while saving all four break points she faced on her own serve, according to SAP Match Stats.
The Path to the French Open Title
Even with her current form, there are still some players she would love to avoid especially in the early stages of the French. Those players include last years’ winner, and Italian Open titlist Iga Swiatek, who is also the most recent conqueror of Gauff in the semi-finals of the same tournament. In addition to Swiatek, another player who it may be sub-optimal for Coco to face is 2019 French Open Champion and current world no. 1 Ash Barty, who owned a 6-4, 2-1 lead with a break of serve in the second set against Coco before ultimately retiring from the match.
Both Swiatek and Barty are superior clay court champions and players at this stage in their respective careers. However, I do believe Coco has all the makings of someone who could challenge annually at Roland Garros. In addition to her offensive weapons, Coco is an excellent mover and already seems to know when and how to slide into her shots on the surface. She has proven she is comfortable on the largest stages, and her confidence will be sky high after the results of her most recent tournament. With a little help from the draw and continued perseverance, Coco could be hoisting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Finals Saturday of this year’s French Open.