Coco Gauff and Matt Daly clearly a match made in heaven

Clearly, Coco Gauff just needed to shred Brad Gilbert. The tennis commentator had an immediate impact on Gauff last summer and the two worked together to earn Gauff's first (and, so far, only) Grand Slam victory. This past summer, though? Things fell off the proverbial cliff.

Guaff did not reach a quarterfinal at any summer event, fell to No. 6 on the WTA tour, and appeared lost as far as figuring out how to fix her forehand and how to have a better second serve. Those normal strengths allowed Gauff to power through most opponents. Instead, she ended up beating herself many times.

That was until the China Open when Gauff found a way to sweep through her competition and win the event. The tournament could have been worth 1,000 points or 150. The point is that Gauff had to feel good about winning any event after such a poor showing since the spring. Confidence is an important thing in any walk of life, but a lack of confidence can cripple a tennis player.

Coco Gauff's hire of Matt Daly paying immediate dividends

The American recently hired coach Matt Daly to replace Gilbert. Gilbert should have probably never chosen to work with a tennis player due to his commentating duties that pay him good money and he refuses to give up. His lack of full commitment does a disservice to him and the player.

Daly has been relatively successful for decently ranked players but he has never worked with someone like Gauff. Her victory in Beijing is as good for her as it is for him. She seems back on track and able to work through through the lack of confidence. That is a testament to her and to Daly.

With the victory, Gauff moves back up to No. 6 on the WTA tour. She has the talent to be No. 1, or at least a constant in the top three. Daly should help her get there. Gauff just needs to believe. The China Open victory will help her get that belief.

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