Coco Gauff survives a major scare to edge past Uchijima in a nerve-wracking three-set battle

World No. 3 Coco Gauff started her campaign at Indian Wells on the right foot with a strong victory over the rising Japanese player Moyuka Uchijima, winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) to advance to the third round.

The American didn’t have it easy against a tricky opponent despite the result. Uchijima had come into the match after easily eliminating Emma Raducanu (6-3, 6-2), but this time, she couldn't keep up with Gauff throughout the match.

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First Set

The first strike came from Uchijima (No. 52), who took a break in the third game, putting her ahead early. However, the local favorite responded quickly, breaking back in Stadium 2 at Indian Wells with full support from the crowd.

Uchijima seemed unshaken despite losing the advantage, and managed to stay with Gauff throughout the set from her service. However, errors came toward the end. After holding a 40-0 lead, Uchijima lost five consecutive points, including a double fault, and Gauff capitalized on the momentum, winning the set 6-4.

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Second Set

Things started well for Uchijima, who managed two consecutive breaks on both of the opportunities she had. In a matter of minutes, the Japanese player was 3-0 up, penetrating Gauff's forehand side and taking advantage of the American’s second serves.

Gauff fought to break back, but things seemed lost when Uchijima went up 5-2 and was poised to finish the set with her serve. However, she wasted a set point, and Gauff broke back, but it wasn’t enough. Gauff lost her serve for the fourth time in the set, and Uchijima took the set 6-3. It was a tough moment for Gauff, who was only winning 55% of her first serves and just 27% on her second.

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Third Set

In the moment of greatest pressure, Gauff played her best tennis, remaining flawless on the important points. The 2023 US Open champion took two breaks on two opportunities and saved five break points to go up 4-0 in under 20 minutes. Uchijima never lowered her energy and, despite the clear disadvantage, came back strongly, winning the next three games in a row, with Gauff conceding a break after a double fault. The Japanese player was back in the fight, trailing 3-4.

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Gauff managed to hold her serve and later had a match point on Uchijima’s serve. With a couple of incredible shots from the Japanese player, she managed to extend the match to 5-4.  Once again, Gauff let her opportunity slip, and Uchijima leveled with a break after a double fault from the American. Not just that time, but for the second consecutive occasion, the world No. 3 wasted the chance to close out the match on her serve, both times including double faults.

Everything came down to a tense tiebreak, where despite another double fault, Gauff showed her composure and greater experience to seal the victory 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3). In the third round, she will face 2-time finalist Maria Sakkari (29th seed).

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