Gauff Stunned by Yastremska in Wimbledon First Round

LONDON: Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, experienced an unexpected early exit from Wimbledon. She was defeated by Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-1, on Court One this Tuesday.

Gauff appeared unsettled from the beginning, losing her footing on several occasions. Yastremska capitalized on this, delivering a string of impressive baseline winners before securing the initial set with a well-executed volley.

The Ukrainian player showcased composure and assurance, skillfully leveraging the circumstances. Her powerful backhand proved particularly effective in disrupting Gauff’s rhythm.

Gauff’s preparation on grass courts was limited. In contrast, her competitor had reached the final of the Nottingham Open and advanced to the quarter-finals in Eastbourne in the period leading up to Wimbledon.

The American player struggled with her serve, committing nine double faults and 29 unforced errors. She visibly expressed her frustration as she faced three service breaks in the second set.

In a post-match interview, Yastremska remarked that she was really feeling the energy of the match. She also spoke about her enjoyment of playing on grass surfaces.

“I felt the momentum today; it was awesome,” Yastremska commented.

“While unexpected, this season is developing exceptionally well for me. I relish competing on grass; I feel an affinity for it this season.”

Gauff acknowledged Dayana’s strong performance, noting her powerful start. However, she admitted to feeling mentally strained and struggling to regain focus quickly enough during the match.

“Dayana commenced the match with intensity. I couldn’t establish my stability on the court today,” Gauff stated.

“I believe I was somewhat overwhelmed mentally by the subsequent events.

“Consequently, I felt I lacked adequate time for celebration and promptly re-engaging with the competition.”