She also reached the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open, with Gauff now in that stage of the WTA Finals after two group stage wins from two.

Gauff is thriving off her critics, with the American storming into the final four in Riyadh after wins over Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek.

Such victories were almost unthinkable not so long ago, with the 2023 US Open winner having gone through a difficult period on the court.

Andy Roddick notices change in Coco Gauff’s serve

Gauff’s serving struggles were particularly scrutinised, typified by her hitting 21 double faults in that Wuhan Open exit, a WTA record for 2024.

But Gauff changed her serve under Daly ahead of the WTA Finals, with Andy Roddick noticing that change.

“I think Coco has looked great post-US Open,” he said on Served with Andy Roddick. “I almost feel like she needed to get through that tournament and that title defence to open up a little bit.

READ MORE: WTA Finals 2024: How to watch, prize money, dates, prediction and everything you need to know

“One thing I have noticed is that the serve looks way better and I know she double-faulted in Wuhan, but the grip is better. It is more straight on and what I am seeing is that you are not getting the double faults where one is three feet below the net line and the next one is five foot long.

“The variance in misses is way less. So credit to Matt Daly – who I don’t think anyone had on their bingo card, and probably wrongfully so, as who she is going to have as her coach permanently. He is making a hell of a case just to let it ride into 2025.

“She has made a grip change on her serve, I think it looks way better. Forehand looks like it’s getting back and prepared more often so she doesn’t look like she is having to do as much work late in the swing and catch up.”

Coco Gauff flying high under Matt Daly at the WTA Finals

Gauff enacted revenge on Pegula early on in Riyadh, having lost to her compatriot in the semi-finals of the 2023 WTA Finals.

The former eased past the latter 6-3, 6-2 this time around, before an equally impressive 6-3, 6-4 win over Swiatek.

Both victories will have given Gauff plenty of confidence, although perhaps the win over the Pole will matter more given it was just the American’s second over Swiatek in 13 attempts.

READ MORE: Coco Gauff has done something no female player has for 17 years as the WTA Finals get underway

Barbora Krejcikova is up next for Gauff, with the Czech Wimbledon champion still fighting for a spot in the semi-finals.

She is battling it out with Swiatek for that honour, with 2023 WTA Finals runner-up Pegula already out of contention.

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