Coco Gauff's slow starts might catch up to her against Emma Navarro

Coco Gauff is through to the fourth round of the US Open after defeating Elina Svitolina in three sets on Friday. Svitolina is an excellent player, of course, but she has a limit. She does not currently have the high-end potential of someone such as Aryna Sabalenka. Should Gauff face the Balerusian, she will need to get off to a better start than she has in her matches at the US Open so far.

Gauff, of course, is capable of winning the tournament. She won the event last year. The difference between this year and last was that entering the 2023 US Open, Gauff had won some recent events as well. This year, Gauff failed to make the quarterfinals in any tournament over the last two months.

One issue has been her serve, which has always been a bit inconsistent. She can serve with enough pace to overpower most opponents, but she many times has trouble landing her first serve. This was the case against Svitolina when in the first set - one Gauff dropped 3-6 - the American landed just 45 percent of her first serves.

Coco Gauff needs to avoid the slow starts to matches moving forward at the US Open

To make matters worse, Gauff had 16 unforced errors against nine winners in the opening set. She was able to rage back and win the final two sets 6-3 6-3, but against a better opponent, Gauff might have been in real trouble. She is capable of greatness, but like any tennis player, she is just as capable of beating herself.

Gauff's next match could be much tougher. She will face fellow American Emma Navarro - Navarro defeated Marta Kostyuk in three sets on Friday - who Gauff has played twice in 2024. Gauff easily won the first time in Auckland, but Navarro decimated Gauff at Wimbledon. Should Gauff get off to another slow start, Navarro could certainly take advantage and Navarro is a fantastic closer.

Still, Gauff has the ability, as we all know, to break through and win her second straight title in New York. Sometimes the only way to beat her is if she defeats herself. She has come close to doing that at the 2024 US Open. That she hasn't lost might only make her more dangerous.