US Open champion Gauff starts 2024 with wobbly win in Auckland

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff started her 2024 season and her defense of the Auckland Tennis Classic title Tuesday with a rusty-at-times 6-4, 6-2 win over American compatriot Claire Liu.

Gauff used her powerful forehand well but took time to find her range, over-hitting at times in the first set.

She raced to an early 4-0 lead then dropped serve, served for the first set at 5-2 and lost serve again to love before composing herself to overcome a tenacious performance by Liu.

Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the U.S. Open final 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 for her first major title last year.

On Tuesday, Gauff mostly stuck to the baseline while Liu came more often and effectively to the net. But as Gauff settled in and found her service rhythm, she took the second set more convincingly in 35 minutes, the match in 82 minutes.

"Happy to start off the season with a win," Gauff said. "I needed to be tested.

"I feel like I played well today for the first match in a while and I'm happy with my level. Obviously there are things I can improve but I did what I needed to do to win."