Gauff Battles Past Uchijima, Aims for Sakkari Rematch at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — World No. 3 Coco Gauff made a hard-fought return to form on Saturday, edging Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Gauff’s victory marks a significant turnaround for the young American, who had dropped her last three matches. Facing Uchijima, ranked No. 52, Gauff battled inconsistencies, racking up 21 double faults and over 70 unforced errors.

“It wasn’t my best tennis at all today, but I’m just happy to get through,” said Gauff, reflecting on her performance. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks, and I’m just happy to get a win on the court.”

Despite her struggles, Gauff managed to secure the win after two hours and 34 minutes of play. Early momentum in the deciding set saw her race to a 4-0 lead, which she nearly squandered before recovering in the tiebreak. Varying her game, Uchijima threatened Gauff’s serve by capitalizing on critical errors.

“I knew I had to stay focused, especially serving. I just had to pull through,” Gauff explained. “It was not easy, but I managed to find a way.”

Uchijima proved to be a formidable opponent, having previously defeated former Grand Slam champions in the lead up to the tournament. The match showcased her relentless style, putting pressure on Gauff and forcing many errors.

Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face No. 29 seed Maria Sakkari in the third round, a rematch from last year’s semifinals, where Sakkari came out on top 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2. Sakkari advanced after defeating Viktoriya Tomova 6-0, 6-3.

“I’m excited for the next challenge,” Gauff said. “Maria is a tough player, and we have a history. I’ll be ready.”

As Gauff continues her quest for another title at Indian Wells, she will need to refine her service game and capitalize on her opportunities to emerge victorious against Sakkari.