CoCo Vandeweghe claims Aryna Sabalenka could be developing a ‘huge difference maker’ to help her beat Coco Gauff

Sabalenka, who is looking to defend her US Open title later this month, demonstrated why she is world number one by frequently playing her best tennis on the biggest points.

The 27-year-old, who made history against Emma Raducanu, will be hoping to continue her good form in the next round and strengthen her chances of defending her Cincinnati Open title from 2024.

Sabalenka’s start to the year was tumultuous, having lost the Australian Open final and French Open final to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff respectively.

While her attention has been firmly focused on the American hard courts, Sabalenka has been advised as to how she can strengthen her game when facing Gauff; a player she has struggled against in the past.

Aryna Sabalenka is told coming forward to the net could be a ‘huge difference maker’

Aryna Sabalenka has struggled in the biggest moments against Coco Gauff.

Of the three Grand Slam final losses Sabalenka has on her record, two have been against Gauff. This is something that must be changed moving forward if the Belarusian is to enjoy continued success in the years to come.

Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast, former professional player and doubles specialist Nick Monroe spoke about the introduction of Max Mirnyi into the Sabalenka setup.

Mirnyi won a combined 10 doubles and mixed doubles titles during his career.

Nick Monroe said: “That’s one thing she brought Max Mirnyi on for. I was able to speak with Max a couple of days ago and I said ‘hey, what are you guys working on?’

“He said ‘look she’s got so much power. I want her to come forward, I want her to trust herself in big moments.’

So obviously she already trusts herself in big moments, but now if she’s able to come forward and take volleys out of the air and not let those balls drop, that’s going to help her in big moments. And look, she was number one in the world in doubles as well, so she knows how to volley.

“So, what makes her so clutch is that belief she has in herself, but also that was three hours and nine minutes that match, so she’s so physically fit, she didn’t even look tired in that match. So just being that physically fit and having the belief and now coming forward… I mean, watch out.”

Former WTA world number nine CoCo Vandeweghe added: “And having faced world number ones myself, that is definitely the intangible factor is the fact they come in clutch.

“You saw her serve massive when it counted. You saw she hit the shots that she needed to, she found that backhand when she needed the big points, and then now she’s adding that extra intangible of I’m going to come forward and really reap the rewards of those successes.

“And I think that’s going to be a huge difference maker when she plays the more consistent players, like a Coco Gauff, that she struggles against.

“We saw her really not have an answer when it came to those longer exchanges, and I think coming forward is going to be the key.”

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff’s head-to-head record

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have faced each other 11 times during their respective careers, dating back to 2020.

While Sabalenka has registered some impressive performances against Gauff, it is the American who holds the superior head-to-head record, leading by six wins to five.

The two players are on a collision course at the Cincinnati Open. As the two highest-seeded players, Gauff and Sabalenka could meet in the final.

Sabalenka faces Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the round of 16, while Gauff will go up against Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.