Cori Gauff admits that playing on the biggest courts puts a bit of additional pressure on her shoulders as she knows that top players will notice her when she is scheduled ahead of them.
On Sunday, Gauff defeated Zhang Shuai on Arthur Ashe Stadium 7-5 7-5.
Gauff was down by a break in both sets, but still managed to escape with a straight-set win.
Even though Gauff is not as nervous as she used to in the past, she admits she is still tension when she gets to play on one of the biggest courts in the world.
“I would say I am getting more comfortable. The first couple times on Ashe, I was very nervous. I feel like, when I look at the order of play, I see I’m playing in front of Roger, Rafa or Serena or Novak, I get a little more nervous. I know they know how I’m doing because they have to get ready after me. That’s why it makes me more nervous. I am saying I’m getting more comfortable playing on the bigger courts,” Gauff explained.
Gauff on beating Zhang
Zhang started the match with an early break and a 2-0 lead, but Gauff worked her way back and managed to win the first set.
In the second set, Zhang had a 5-3 lead and a set point on her serve in the ninth game.
Gauff saved that set point and broke Zhang in the ninth and 11th games to overturn the deficit and complete a two-set win.
“I thought the match was very high quality,” Gauff reflected. “I feel like I was saying to my coach I feel like I got no free points in that match. Same with her, I don’t think I was giving away any free points, despite the double-faults.
Gauff plays Caroline Garcia next.
Again, Gauff gets to play on Arthur Ashe.