© Getty Images Sport – Graham Denholm
Coco Gauff needed a recharge following her Australian Open loss to Aryna Sabalenka as the American tennis star took a couple of days off and also had her boyfriend fly to her town so they could spend some time together.
After kicking off her season with a title in Auckland, 19-year-old Gauff continued her fine form at the Australian Open and made her first semifinal at Melbourne Park. Riding a 10-match winning streak and coming two wins away from winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles, Gauff saw her campaign come to an end in the semifinal following a 6-7 (2) 4-6 loss to Sabalenka.
Although Gauff ended up losing in straight sets to Sabalenka, it was a very tight contest where a couple of points and moments decided the match.
Early in the first set, Gauff managed to recover from a break down but then got broken again in the sixth game and Sabalenka ultimately opened a 5-3 lead. Just when it seemed Gauff was about to lose the first set, the American got the break back in the ninth game – saved a set point in the 10th game – broke Sabalenka again in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead and a chance to serve out for the first set.
Serving for the first set, Gauff had 30/0 on her serve before stunningly losing the next four…
