Coco Gauff continued her excellent form on the North American hardcourt swing by defeating Ann Li to reach the fourth round of the Masters event.

Gauff reached the semi finals of the Canadian Open and she’s looked very good in Cincinnati, defeating Liudmilla Samsonova and Li back-to-back to set up a forth round clash with Marie Bouzkova.

The American is playing herself into some real form ahead of the US Open, as he looks to win the Grand Slam for the first time since her maiden win in 2023.

One aspect of Gauff’s game that has looked very strong in particular is the American’s serve, which she has struggled with a lot over the past few seasons.

It’s looked far better recently, which is testament to her biomechanist Gavin MacMillan, who has been working with her since the end of the 2024 season.

Speaking to The Tennis Channel about her serve, Gauff said: “I think today I was going for my serve a lot. I felt like new balls or faster conditions in a day compared to the night.

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“So I felt like some of the doubles I didn’t mean to go for as much. And they just kind of flew off my racket. So I was just trying to adjust and mix it up. I think I could have mixed it up a little bit more today.

“I could have maybe thrown a little bit more kick serves today looking back at it. But overall, I’m still happy. The goal is to keep going for my serve. I feel like it’s becoming a real weapon for me.”

While it is still not the finished article, Gauff’s serve is starting to win her just as many points as it is losing her.

Against Li, Gauff hit six aces and six double faults and she wasn’t broken once against her compatriot across either set.

Additionally, Gauff won 68 per cent of her first service points in the match, which is a very impressive number, and testament to just how far she has come on her serve.

The American looks to have finally ironed out her issues on serve and that could be huge when it comes to her chances of winning titles now.

Gauff is yet to win a WTA Tour title this season, but it would be a big surprise if she doesn’t end up claiming one before the season finishes in November.

She is also an outside bet to claim the US Open, which the New York crowd will surely be willing her on to do.

Gauff has been knocked out of the fourth round at Flushing Meadows in the past two seasons, so she will at least be hoping to build upon that.