Coco Gauff continues grinding in practice after touchdown in Sydney for United Cup SF

Coco Gauff arrived in Sydney determined to lead Team USA to the United Cup glory. The American squad has secured a spot in the semifinals of the mixed-team event.

Team USA advanced to the United Cup semifinals after defeating China in the quarterfinals in Perth on Wednesday, January 1. Ahead of the next round in Sydney, Coco Gauff was seen practicing diligently on the courts, focusing intensely on her forehand and backhand shots. A video shared by United Cup Tennis on Instagram also showed Taylor Fritz joining the training session later

Check out the video below:

According to the 20-year-old, she hit the practice court less than two hours after landing in Sydney. She reshared the clip and revealed on her Instagram story:

"land at 5:30... courts at 7," she wrote.

Watch her story below:

Coco Gauff's Instagram story; ( Source - Instagram @cocogauff)

Gauff set the stage with a commanding performance against China’s Zhang Shuai in the quarterfinals. The 2023 US Open champion edged out a tightly contested first set, 7-6(4), after Zhang broke her serve three times but failed to consolidate. Gauff then raised her level in the second set, cruising to a decisive 6-2 victory to seal the match.

Her compatriot Taylor Fritz followed suit with an impressive performance against Zhang Zhizhen. The 2024 US Open finalist secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory in just 1 hour and 19 minutes, conceding only four points on serve throughout the match.

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"She was playing so aggressive on me and I felt like I had to go more on my second serves": Coco Gauff on her United Cup quarterfinals match

Coco Gauff at BNP Paribas Open 2024 - Image Source: Getty

Reflecting on her quarterfinal match, Coco Gauff admitted she struggled to push Zhang Shuai onto the defensive. Facing relentless aggression on returns, she took bolder second-serve risks, resulting in several double faults.

"The harder I hit, the harder she was hitting. I felt like I couldn't get her on defense. She was playing so aggressive on me and I felt like I had to go more on my second serves, which brought in more double faults, but if I just put it in it was a return winner. So I had to take my chances," Gauff said after the match, (via WTA).

Gauff's compatriot, Taylor Fritz, also praised her for setting the tone against China in the quarterfinals. While Kazakhstan will meet Poland in semifinal two, Team USA's opponent is yet to be determined. The quarterfinal winner between the Czech Republic and Italy will face them in the last four.