Coco Gauff’s second serve the only thing between her and sustained success

Coco Gauff, the world No 3, hit three double faults in a row against Jessica Pegula at the WTA Finals. Photograph: NurPhoto/Shutterstock

For a brief, hopeful moment in the middle of an intense tussle with her compatriot Jessica Pegula, it seemed as if Coco Gauff had found her way. Gauff had struggled in the first set of their opening match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Sunday, but then she dug deep and slowly turned the match around. The American reached set point on her serve at 6-5 in the second set.

Gauff then proceeded to hit three double faults in a row, which allowed Pegula to retrieve the break without touching the ball. Not a single attempt was even close.