Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to the clay courts in Stuttgart, Germany, overcoming a spirited challenge from Sachia Vickery in a thrilling three-set battle.
Gauff, playing her first match since the Miami Open in March, initially dominated the proceedings, taking the first set 6-3. However, Vickery, a qualifier ranked outside the top 100, fought back valiantly in the second set, breaking Gauff’s serve twice to level the match at 1-1.
The final set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players trading breaks and holding serve. Vickery came within five points of pulling off a stunning upset, but Gauff displayed her resilience and determination, winning 12 of the final 14 points to secure a hard-fought 7-5 victory.
Gauff’s victory was particularly impressive considering Vickery’s previous success against top-ranked opponents. In 2018, Vickery defeated then-world No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza at the BNP Paribas Open.
The win sets up a quarterfinal clash for Gauff against either No. 5 seed Zheng Qinwen or Marta Kostyuk, whom she faced in the last eight of the 2024 Australian Open.
Gauff’s performance in Stuttgart is a testament to her adaptability and mental fortitude. Despite a long layoff, she was able to quickly find her rhythm on the clay and overcome a determined opponent. Her victory bodes well for her chances of success in the upcoming French Open, where she will be aiming to defend her US Open title.
