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What Coco Gauff did to fix her serve — Insider details after Italian Open final
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- What Coco Gauff did to fix her serve — Insider details after Italian Open final
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images
Gauff's serving issues appear to be over after 2026 Italian Open semi-final win
Coco Gauff is looking like herself again at the 2026 Italian Open.
The American advanced to the final of the WTA 1000 event with a straight-sets win over Sorana Cirstea, coming through 6-4, 6-3.
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Gauff has already seen off Iva Jovic and Mirra Andreeva in Rome, building some real momentum as she closes in on her first title since Wuhan last year.
She's also managed to steady her serve recently, recording just six double faults across her past three matches — a notable improvement from earlier in the season.
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images
Gauff shares what's been working for her serve in Rome
Speaking to reporters after the match, Gauff was asked about the technical changes she's made to her serve. She said: "I mean, I think I'm tossing a bit more consistently.
"My weight I feel is a little bit better. Also, just the trust, the confidence in it is a lot better.
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"I think because my confidence in it is better, then I'm actually consistently I guess tossing the ball in the right spot, having my technique be the same on each serve regardless where my target is. I think that's the biggest difference.
"Yeah, it's been an up-and-down process. I obviously don't want to jinx anything, but I think we found the recipe to making it more consistent.
"I think it's a real improvement. I think it's like the first time in my career I feel like I'm really stable with that shot (second serve).
"Now it's focusing on how to make it more of a weapon, how to serve smarter, things like that, yeah."
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Gauff feeling positive about French Open title defence
Coco Gauff's run to the final in Rome has come at just the right time, with her title defence at Roland Garros just around the corner.
Reflecting on her performance in Italy, Gauff said: "It definitely gives me a lot of confidence because I also played some players who are having great clay court seasons and great seasons in general.
"Yeah, I thought in Madrid I also felt like I was playing some good tennis, too. Just a little bit had to learn from having the lead in that match against Noskova.
"Overall, I feel like my game is getting better. There's moments that I still can fine-tune and do better at. I definitely think it's in the right direction."
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Gauff's victory over Aryna Sabalenka to win last year's French Open was her second Grand Slam title and came two years after she lifted her first major trophy at the 2023 US Open.
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