By Dwight Casimere
(Source The Time Weekly):
“She’s much more confident. She’s become more of a complete player.” That was how Tennis Channel commentator Chanda Rubin described 19-year-old American Coco Gauff as she steamrolled past Tunisian no. 6 seed Ons Jabeur to capture her first win at the WTA Finals in Cancun.
This was their first time facing each other in the event, which sported a brand new court. The last time each of them played was in China, where Jabeur lifted a trophy in Ningbo and Gauff took an early exit at the China Open in Beijing against no. 2 Iga Swiatek.
It was the ‘Coco Show’ from the beginning with Gauff delivering a blistering series of backhands. Despite a previous day loss in doubles with perennial partner Jessica Pegula, Gauff seemed to breeze across the court like a champion ice skater as she completely crushed Jabeur at every turn.
Jabuer racked up an astonishing 12 unforced errors in the course of play. At one point reaching break point, the African’s play broke down again, over hitting every ball in response to Gauff’s relentless approach.
Play was abandoned due to rain early in the second set, which might have proved a blessing from the skies for Jabeur, but the clouds never broke for her. Gauff reset after a brief slump when play resumed, and took full command of the match to a resounding victory. Gauff has won 50 matches this season, eight of them against Top 10 opponents. She moves on to face her now ever-present nemesis, Iga Swiatek in the second round at Cancun.
