Coco Gauff said on Tuesday she was dedicating training time prior to her second-roundstart at the ATP and WTA Italian Open to cleaning upher serve.
The American third seed was plagued by multiple double-faults in a fourth-round defeat last week to compatriot Madison Keys in Madrid.
And the reigning US Open winnersaid she plans to fix that delivery problem in Rome before heading to Roland Garros from May 26.
'I hadlike 14double-faults - that's four or five games,' she said. '(If I)just fix that detail, it will save me.
'Maybethose matches would turn into winning in straightsets instead of losing in three sets.
Heading in the right direction
She added:'For me it's just serving better than Idid last week. Honestly, I feel the other parts of mygame are improving in the right direction.
'If I can work through, it willset me up for a very good Roland Garros.
Both Gauff and defending champion Elena Rybakina expressedpleasure at returning to the Foro Italico and preparing for the last big event prior to Paris.
'It's nice tobe here. (I've seen) some improvements on-site,' the Kazakh said. 'I'm lookingforward to this event.
'I didn't practice for three,four days (after a Madrid semi-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka). Today I managed to hit a bit.
'That's the way to keep on going because it's not easy with our schedule.
Gauff paid tribute to Rafael Nadal , who is likely playing his final Rome event as he nears retirement sometime this season.
Something about his aura
'When I saw the little (goodbye) ceremony (in Madrid for Nadal), I was like 'this is real life, this is for real.
'I feel a little bit sad; he's definitely one ofmy favourite players to watch. His mentality, his intensity issomething I admire.
'When I practise on the court next to him, Iliterally zone out of my practice to watch him,' the American continued.
'It'ssomething about him and his aura and the intensity.Also just the grace he shows. He's a very nice person.
'His legacy isgoing to be something that is unmatched whenit comes to just the intensity in which he approacheseverything.
'That's something that the players willmiss and the fans will miss.'
AFP
