Coco Gauff’s most complete performance at the US Open: 6-1, 6-4 win over Iva Jovic paves the way to world No. 1

The first set closed in 33 minutes. Six consecutive games after an 11-minute break exchange. Coco Gauff never gave Iva Jovic a chance to breathe in the opening set, and that was the clearest signal that the 2026 US Open champion has returned with a completely different face compared to the early months of the season. The match ended 6-1, 6-4 in just 1 hour and 20 minutes – a stark contrast to the three-hour battle in Rome last year, where she saved a match point and staged a comeback. This match was part of the 2026 US Open campaign, where Gauff is the defending champion. Arriving in New York on a nine-match winning streak and 20 consecutive sets won – a rare achievement in the WTA – she had also just claimed the Cincinnati title. Jovic, an 18-year-old qualifier, had impressed in the earlier rounds but was never considered a real threat. Yet all eyes were on whether Gauff could maintain her momentum. And she answered with a near-flawless display. Statistics never lie. Gauff hit 18 winners with 15 unforced errors, while Jovic managed just 9 winners against 30 unforced errors. Gauff’s winner-to-unforced-error ratio (1.2) was far superior to Jovic’s (0.3). She served more aces and consistently returned deep into the court. However, what stood out most was her ability in clutch moments. In the second set, Gauff fell behind 0-30 on serve but won four straight points to break back immediately. This was clear evidence of her mental strength, sharpened during that three-hour match in Rome when she saved a match point against Iga Swiatek. The biggest change in Gauff’s game comes from her serve. Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert, restructured Gauff’s service motion last season. After nearly a year, improvements are becoming obvious: her second serve is far more reliable, allowing her to avoid long service games. This creates a foundation for early first-strike tennis. Gauff has admitted: “I have Plan A, B, C, and even D. If Plan A fails, I switch to Plan B instantly.” This flexibility makes her difficult to read. From a professional standpoint, this performance shows Gauff has reached a new level of tactical thinking. She no longer relies solely on raw physicality or pure defense as she once did. Instead, she actively moves opponents out of position and exploits spaces. This is what long-time observers have been waiting for. However, with 40 years of sitting courtside and compiling statistics, I remain cautious about easy wins. Iva Jovic, while talented, still lacks experience on big courts with the pressure of Arthur Ashe. Her forehand was found wanting, and she struggled returning Gauff’s serve. The real test comes in the quarter-final against Mirra Andreeva, the No. 5 seed and 2026 French Open champion. Andreeva just rallied past Potapova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, showing mental resilience and impressive endurance. Gauff leads the head-to-head 5-0 against Andreeva, but that record is partly outdated. Andreeva has improved dramatically since winning in Paris, especially her returns and movement. She is one of the best young defenders on the WTA tour. If Gauff cannot maintain her serving efficiency, she could face trouble against an opponent who never gives up. This match is not just about reaching the semi-finals; it also shapes the world No. 1 race. If Gauff wins the US Open and Aryna Sabalenka loses early, Gauff will become world No. 1 for the first time – something she has spoken about with eagerness. Can Gauff sustain that “no regrets” mindset against a player who truly knows how to exploit spaces? The practice court has no spectators, but every answer lies there. For now, she has clear advantages in head-to-head record and form. But in tennis, numbers only tell part of the story. Will, adaptation, and endurance will be the keys. With what she has shown, Gauff has made a statement: she not only wants to defend her title, she wants to write the next chapter of her career.