Coco Gauff did not know what to do against her compatriot…

Coco Gauff says how she’s actually feeling about her serve now after heavy defeat to Amanda Anisimova in China

Coco Gauff will be wanting to forget her emphatic defeat to Amanda Anisimova sooner rather than later.

Gauff won just three games against Anisimova at the China Open, in one of the heaviest defeats of her professional career.

Her American compatriot went on to win the title, with Anisimova now closing in on Gauff in the WTA rankings.

Serena Williams’ former coach gave Gauff some advice about her serve, and now she has revealed how she is actually feeling about it after having some time to reflect.

Coco Gauff explains how she’s feeling about her new service motion
Gauff’s serve has been a big talking point for a while now, particularly around the time of the US Open.

As a result of her serving woes, Gauff split with coach Matt Daly right before the US Open and hired biomechanical specialist Gavin Macmillan, who has previously worked with Aryna Sabalenka on her service motion.

This decision was widely discussed, with some not understanding the timing of Gauff’s decision right before the final major of 2025.

Gauff is not with Macmillan in China, but she has spoken to press about how she is feeling in terms of her serve ahead of the Wuhan Open.

“I feel a lot more comfortable with it,” Gauff said in response to a question from Tennis365. “I’m still obviously learning a new motion and everything, but I felt like, you know, Beijing was a good tournament for me regarding the serve.

“Yes, there were moments I could serve better, but overall, I don’t feel like it was like a crutch for me. And then in the last match, I mean, she was returning well; the percentage of first serve points there was really low, but I mean, I hit like a 200km/h serve, and she was hitting the ball back way faster.

“I try not to use the last match as like my overall memory of the tournament. But there were moments that it got me out of a lot of trouble as well. So I think it’s in the right direction. It’s not where I wanted to be, but I definitely feel like it’s on the way up.

“I think now it’s just trusting it in those moments. But, you know, I’m still double faulting more than I would like, but a lot less than at the Open or before the Open. So, yeah, I think for me, I want it to be a real weapon – and it is in some moments – but I think more consistently being the weapon.”

Coco Gauff’s potential run to the title at the Wuhan Open

Gauff’s focus will now be on the Wuhan Open, where she reached the semifinals last year and is defending 380 ranking points.

After losing to China Open champion Anisimova in Beijing, Gauff may be relieved that the world number four has since withdrawn from the Wuhan tournament and will no longer be an obstacle for her.

However, there are still some big threats lurking in Gauff’s section of the draw, and she could play both Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva before the final, where Sabalenka could be waiting.