Coco Gauff survived a scare to book herself a place in the third round of the Miami Open at the expense of Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Injury concerns swirl around Gauff after she was forced to withdraw in her match against Alexandra Eala at Indian Wells.
The American had previously lost to Cocciaretto at the Qatar Open earlier this year, and it looked to be going the same way as she lost the first set 6-3 to the Italian.
Gauff then produced a stellar comeback to win the match and she offered an explanation following the victory.
Coco Gauff explains how she changed her serve against Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Gauff’s serve has been a constant thorn in her side over the past year and the troubles continued in the early stages of her match with Cocciaretto.
However, in the final set, Gauff’s serve became more consistent and it became a big factor in the American overcoming the Italian.
Speaking to The Tennis Channel, Gauff outlined the subtle changes she made to her serve in the deciding set.
“I think just slowing down some of the serves on the first and I think also using the new balls to my advantage when it was time.
“Maybe not going for as small of targets and just letting the new balls fly for me. Just being smart with the serve, mixing it up, taking some pace off and then applying pace.
“I know I can do that with my serve so I think just trying to remember that it doesn’t have to be as big as I want it to be all the time.”
Gauff will next play Alycia Parks as she looks to win the Miami Open for the first time in her career.
Coco Gauff’s serving stats against Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Gauff was still hit with one of her biggest weaknesses at the Miami Open, as she hit a worrying 11 double faults.
The American sits atop the rankings for double faults this year, but she definitely steadied her serve as the match went on.
Gauff won 63 percent of her service points, which was instrumental in the star turning the match around in Miami.
While her issues still remain, it’s a massive positive that Gauff can change up her serve mid-match to turn the tables.