Coco Gauff says she is feeling great and plans to play “confident tennis” in a United Cup showdown versus Iga Swiatek.
On Saturday, the top-ranked American female tennis player impressively handled the business against Karolina Muchova, dismantling the Czech 6-1 6-4 to help the United States reach the final in Sydney.
Now, she is set to meet another very tough opponent – Swiatek, who beat Elena Rybakina in straight sets in the Poland and Kazakhstan semifinal tie.
Heading into the match, both Gauff and Pole are 4-0 to start the year.
“I’m feeling great. I felt like I was playing good today. Obviously Iga is a tough opponent. I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it too much yet. But yeah, I think it’s going to be a great level of tennis and super excited to go out there tomorrow and hopefully bring the Cup back home,” the 2023 US Open champion said.
Coco Gauff© United Cup/Instagram – Fair Use
Gauff hopes to repeat the WTA Finals performance against Swiatek
It is not a secret that the Polish tennis star has been probably the toughest matchup for the world No. 3.
But in their last meeting – which came at the WTA Finals in November – the second-ranked American won 6-3 6-4.
Asked if she could take something from that match, Gauff highlighted that she played very confidently and plans to do so again.
“I think just confidence. I was very confident in Riyadh. Yeah, I think when I’m playing confident tennis, that’s my best tennis. It makes it hard for her or anyone to really do anything. So tomorrow I’m just going to go out there and be confident,” the 20-year-old explained.
For the American, the Riyadh win over Swiatek was just her second victory in their 13 meetings.
It remains to be seen if Gauff can also beat the former world No. 1 at the United Cup and clinch back-to-back wins against the Pole for the first time in her career.
Tennis World USA