Gauff’s Steady Hand Steers U.S. Forward in Perth
Coco Gauff turned a recent stumble into straight-sets command over Maria Sakkari, handing Team USA an early edge in the United Cup quarterfinals and setting up a tense men’s clash.
When Coco Gauff locks in, the court becomes her domain, every shot a declaration of intent under the Perth sun. In the United Cup quarterfinal at RAC Arena, the World No. 4 American dismantled Maria Sakkari 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 26 minutes, securing a 1-0 lead for the United States against Greece. Fresh from a group stage singles loss to Spain, where her serve faltered with 14 double faults, Gauff arrived composed, her game rebuilt on the outdoor hard courts.
This rebound wasn’t just about erasing errors; it was a tactical recalibration that exposed Sakkari’s vulnerabilities. The 21-year-old’s first-serve accuracy hit 68%, converting 76% of those points as she mixed heavy topspin with precise placement to target the Greek’s backhand. Her one–two patterns—serve followed by deep crosscourt forehands—pinned Sakkari deep, forcing short returns ripe for inside-in winners.
“Definitely a much better match today,” Gauff said in her on-court interview. “Last match, I just tried to erase it. That’s the beauty of this tournament and having a team like Taylor [Fritz] and Christian [Harrison] that gave me the chance to stay in the tournament and be able to prove myself better today. So definitely happy to give my team the lead today.”
Gauff erases doubts with team backing
The psychological lift from her teammates proved crucial, turning a shaky group stage into fuel for this dominant display. Fritz and Harrison’s doubles efforts against Spain kept the U.S. alive, allowing Gauff to step up without the weight of elimination. On the grippy hard courts, her movement sharpened, retrieving Sakkari’s flat drives and countering with down-the-line backhands that stretched the rallies in her favor.
Sakkari, at 30 and ranked No. 52 entering 2026, had built momentum with wins over Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu earlier in the week. Yet Gauff’s variety disrupted that rhythm, her aggressive net approaches limiting the Greek’s counterpunching opportunities. The head-to-head now tilts 6-5 toward the American, this being her third straight victory in the matchup.
Serve adjustments dominate the baseline
Gauff’s serve, once a liability, became a weapon, dropping double faults to six while holding serve wire-to-wire. The faster Perth surface rewarded her cleaner toss and follow-through, letting her heavy balls skid low and force weak returns. Sakkari struggled to find depth on her own groundstrokes, her errors mounting as Gauff dictated tempo from the baseline.
The crowd at RAC Arena sensed the shift early, the sunny atmosphere amplifying the U.S. energy as Gauff controlled the first set with minimal resistance. Her footwork allowed quick closes to the net, volleys punctuating points that Sakkari couldn’t extend. This wasn’t raw power; it was calculated pressure, turning potential breaks into routine holds.
Blockbuster awaits in semifinal hunt
With the United Cup: Scores now favoring the U.S., attention turns to Taylor Fritz facing Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s singles. The Greek’s fluid backhand and tactical shifts could test Fritz’s power game, but Gauff’s win injects resilience into the tie. United Cup: Standings hang in the balance, this quarterfinal victory a blueprint for the team’s semifinal push amid the 2026 season’s early grind.
For Gauff, the team format offers camaraderie that solo events lack, her mental reset a sign of maturity at 21. Sakkari’s promising start hits a snag, but the format allows quick pivots. As the Perth hard courts continue to test endurance, Gauff’s composure points toward deeper runs, her stars-and-stripes resolve carrying forward.
