Coco Gauff overcame a tough challenge from Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko and started her Italian Open campaign with a win. The American revealed after her victory that she usually doesn’t focus on her opponent’s behavior during a match, even if they appear overwhelmed or unsettled.
Gauff Shares Thought Process Behind Ignoring Opponent’s Behaviour Post Italian Open 2R Triumph
Mboko certainly tested Gauff in what was only her second career WTA 1000 main draw match. Although the American secured a swift 2-0 lead with a break at love, the Canadian stormed back to go up 5-2. Capitalizing on two consecutive double faults by Gauff at 5-3, Mboko closed the opening set 6-3.
However, the 2023 US Open champion mounted an impressive comeback, breaking Mboko in all four of her service games in the second set to take it 6-2. Gauff then dominated the decider, winning the final six games to seal a 6-1 victory and deny the qualifier an upset in her first career match against a Top 10 opponent.
Mboko’s sense of determination was clear throughout the match, as she often showed frustration with herself after making errors. In the wake of this, Gauff was asked during her post-match press conference if she noticed her opponent getting ‘hot’ (frustrated) during the match.
Gauff explained that she tries not to focus on opponents’ behavior, as some players may appear to be tanking but still play well.
“But I try not to pay attention to that in general when you’re playing some people ’cause some people can play, maybe act like they’re tanking or whatever, and they play great tennis. I’m not saying that’s the case with her. I say in general I try not to focus on that,” she said.
Gauff revealed she noticed her opponent getting frustrated, which she felt was perfectly ordinary.
“I saw her frustrated. I didn’t think it was anything out of the normal. I was getting frustrated, too,” she added.
‘She Might Be More Mature Than Me’: Coco Gauff on Victoria Mboko Following Italian Open 2R Win
Earlier in her press conference, Coco Gauff expressed that she doesn’t fully feel like a veteran because players like Mboko seem very mature. The American felt Mboko might actually be gracious in defeat than she was at that age.
“Yeah, I don’t feel like a vet ’cause I feel like she might be more mature than me. Who knows. At the end of the match, she probably lost with more grace than I ever did at her age. I definitely feel like I have the advantage with experience on tour in the big moments. I knew maybe I had that going for me,” she said.
Moreover, Guaff later praised the Canadian teenager for being composed during the match.
“Yeah, I think she’s pretty composed herself. I wouldn’t say that I feel like a vet. I didn’t feel like she was out there frustrated or anything. I think she was playing composed tennis,” she added.
Gauff sealed the match with 25 winners, while Mboko managed just 13. The 21-year-old also capitalized on nine of her 13 break-point opportunities in her impressive comeback victory.
The World No. 3 will face No. 32 seed Magda Linette in the third round. The Polish player also staged a comeback, defeating former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the second round. This will be their fourth meeting, with Gauff leading their head-to-head 2-1.
