Coco Gauff could barely contain her joy as she soaked in the roar of the Perth crowd one last time. Under the bright lights, with her teammates cheering courtside and the American flag draped behind her, the 21-year-old walked off the court having once again delivered when it mattered most. This wasn’t just another win. This was Gauff continuing her remarkable rise - one that is quickly becoming the heartbeat of Team USA’s United Cup journey.

The QF tie against Greece had all the drama of a championship showdown. Gauff set the tone early with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 win over Maria Sakkari, using her explosive movement and fearless shot-making to put the USA ahead. But momentum swung sharply when Taylor Fritz fell to Stefanos Tsitsipas, leaving everything riding on the decisive mixed doubles. With barely a moment to reset after her singles triumph, Gauff stepped back onto the court - this time with Harrison by her side. Together, they delivered a cool, composed, and clutch performance, sealing the United States’ 2-1 victory and punching their ticket to the SF.

As the final point ended, Coco Gauff broke into a broad smile, embracing her partner before waving to the ecstatic Perth crowd. Her joy was unmistakable - raw, pure, and deeply earned. But Gauff’s celebration didn’t stop at the arena. Hours later, she took to social media with her trademark energy, writing, “Perth, it’s been a pleasureeee! Happy to start the year off strong and be back into the United Cup semis! Sydney, we’ll see you soon.”

Her message captured the spirit she has carried all week - confident but humble, focused but lighthearted. She now heads to Sydney, where Team USA will face Poland or Australia in a high-stakes SF matchup. What else did she and her teammates say after securing this incredible victory against Greece?

Coco Gauff is “happy” after successfully bouncing back from one of her “worst matches” at the 2026 United Cup

Coco Gauff walked into Perth Arena with a quiet determination - far removed from the frustration that clouded her previous outing. Her loss to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro had stung in a way few matches ever had. She even admitted it felt like “one of my worst matches of my career.” But on this day, with Team USA’s United Cup hopes hanging in the balance, something in her shifted. And that shift changed everything.

Just days earlier, Gauff’s game had unraveled in shocking fashion. She won only 19% of her second-serve points, hit 14 double faults, and dropped 9 of her 13 service games against the world number 42. But champions don’t dwell - they respond!

After giving Team USA a 1-0, she said, “I tried to erase it and learn from it. I don’t think I was the most positive that match, so I just tried to stay positive regardless of what happened today. I think just mentality. I think just going for bigger targets, making her play knowing that I off the ground can hang in there or beat almost everyone. So just adjusting.”

Even in the doubles, Coco Gauff showcased some strong resilience alongside Christian Harrison. Despite losing the first set by 4-6, the American duo bounced back just in time to wrap up the tie by 4-6, 6-4, 10-8 against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari.

“I thought it was a great level throughout, and I think that we just played free and aggressive, and they were a great team. It wasn’t easy, so I’m really happy that we were able to move through,” said Gauff. She also praised Harrison’s composure, adding that she felt “really good” about her own level throughout the tie.

Later on, Christian Harrison returned the praise with heartfelt honesty. “I look at her, and no matter the score, she’s just so calm, so I’m like okay, I can’t act out of control right now, I’ve got to feed off what she’s doing, so she sets the tone out there. Honestly, it was a tight match, but I felt relaxed out there, big stage, all the credit to my partner.”

While Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison drew the spotlight, Team USA captain Michael Russell emphasized the collective energy and cohesion driving their success. “This whole team, there’s such great perseverance, and it’s kind of like USA, the first word united, and that’s what we’ve done.”
From one of her “worst matches” to one of her most impressive recoveries, Coco Gauff has proven yet again why she is one of the most resilient competitors in tennis. But can she help Team USA win another United Cup title?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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