Coco Gauff and Donna Vekic only met one previous time before their December 31 meeting at the United Cup. Gauff represented the US in the day’s second match against Croatia after Taylor Fritz won the opener over Borna Coric in straight sets.
The infamous previous match between Gauff and Vekic was at the Paris Olympics. Vekic upset Gauff, in more ways than one, and ultimately won the silver medal. This was the match where Gauff disputed the umpire’s line call.
“I feel like I’m getting cheated on constantly in this game” 💬
Coco Gauff responds after her straight-sets defeat to Donna Vekic at the Paris Olympics 🎾 pic.twitter.com/WKko3uyWns
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) July 30, 2024
That was history as the pair took the court in Perth, Australia. From the first ball, Coco Gauff was being aggressive. Her physicality and shot selection had Vekic scrambling in a competitive first set that went Gauff’s way 6-4.
The second set was mainly Gauff exerting more pressure, and she prevailed 6-2.
Coco’s on a roll 🇺🇸 @CocoGauff gets her revenge on Donna Vekic 6-4, 6-2 and clinches Team USA’s win over Croatia 2-0. #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/8eYx4j8up6
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 31, 2024
The US advances to the quarterfinals.
This is Coco Gauff’s first time competing at the United Cup, and she is undefeated in two singles matches and one mixed doubles match with Fritz. The 2023 US Open champion is charging into the new season looking to be better than last year.
we are so back. new szn, better me 🫡🦅🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/oWFH36wZif
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) December 30, 2024
Though Gauff is in Australia, she knows what’s happening at home. She took to X/Twitter to share a childhood memory of her family’s encounter with President Jimmy Carter at a Georgia McDonald’s while on a road trip. Carter died on December 30 at the age of 100.
