Coco Gauff mitigates Wimbledon concerns with dominant first-round performance

Coco Gauff reacts during her match against Caroline Dolehide (not pictured) on Day 1 of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London.

On Monday, Coco Gauff redeemed herself following an early exit at Wimbledon in 2023.

Gauff dominated in the first round at Centre Court in London, defeating fellow American Caroline Dolehide 6-1, 6-2 in 65 minutes. According to the WTA's website, she won eight straight games at one point.

It was an emotional victory for Gauff, who was stunned by Sofia Kenin in the first round at the grass-court championship last year. In her pre-Wimbledon news conference, the 20-year-old admitted the defeat sent her to a "dark place."

As a result, she made a coaching change, hiring Brad Gilbert in August 2023. It looks like that was the right choice.

Gauff won the 2023 U.S. Open, her first Grand Slam title. Though she hasn't won a major tournament in 2024, she's still playing some of the best tennis in her career. The No. 2-ranked player in the world has posted a 32-10 singles record and made the semifinal round at the 2024 French Open.

Gauff has yet to make it past the fourth round at Wimbledon. However, if she continues to play like she did in the first round against Dolehide, expect her to make an even deeper run.

According to Jack McEachen of the Express, potential contenders Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka have already withdrawn from the tournament. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek — the No. 1 player in the world — is 16-7 on grass, compared to 124-17 on clay.

"[Gauff] appeared to know that a wide-open draw has given her the best chance of surpassing the fourth round for the first time," McEachen wrote of her performance on Monday. "She knows how to win Grand Slams and is itching to prove that once more."

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