Key Takeaways
- Jessica Bouzas Maneiro upset World No. 4 Coco Gauff in dominant fashion at the United Cup, earning her first career Top-5 victory
- The win marked Bouzas Maneiro’s first career victory over a Top-5 opponent and gave Spain a 1-0 lead over the United States
- Gauff’s loss was her first at the United Cup in 10 matches across singles and doubles
- Bouzas Maneiro’s forehand and return game were key factors in her victory, as she broke Gauff’s serve nine times and converted 9 of 12 break points
Introduction to the Match
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro is coming off a breakout 2025 season, where she set a career-high ranking of No. 40, reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time at Wimbledon, and made her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Montreal. She carried this momentum into 2026, upsetting World No. 4 Coco Gauff in dominant fashion at the United Cup. The match was played on Monday at RAC Arena, and Bouzas Maneiro won 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-0. This victory marks Bouzas Maneiro’s first career Top-5 win and gives Spain a 1-0 lead over the United States ahead of the men’s singles match between Taylor Fritz and Jaume Munar.
The Match Analysis
The win was a significant one for Bouzas Maneiro, who knew she had to be focused and ready for the match against Gauff. "I know Coco and she’s a fighter," Bouzas Maneiro said after the match. "She’s there all the time in the match, so I knew that I had to be there, and even if I’m 4-1 up, I have to be there." Bouzas Maneiro set the tone immediately, breaking Gauff in the opening game and going on to break her serve in all four of her service games in the first set. She broke Gauff’s serve a total of nine times throughout the match, which was a key factor in her victory.
Gauff’s Struggles
Gauff’s serving struggles were a major issue for her throughout the match. She landed just 60% of her first serves and won just under 60% of those points. She was further undone by 14 double faults and 54 unforced errors. In contrast, Bouzas Maneiro managed her unforced errors more effectively, committing 41, and converted 9 of 12 break points. Gauff’s dominant performance earlier in the week against Argentina’s Solana Sierra was a stark contrast to her performance against Bouzas Maneiro. Despite her struggles, Gauff refused to go quietly, rallying from 4-1 down to take the second set in a tiebreak.
The Decisive Set
The third set was a decisive one, with Bouzas Maneiro breaking to open the set and never looking back. She saved two break points in a five-deuce game and went on to take a 4-0 lead. After 2 hours and 12 minutes, Bouzas Maneiro closed out the match with a third-set bagel, earning a bit of redemption after being blanked in a deciding set by Sierra earlier in the week. The win was a significant one for Bouzas Maneiro, and it marked the biggest win of her career. She was able to capitalize on Gauff’s mistakes and use her forehand and return game to her advantage.
Conclusion and Aftermath
The loss was Gauff’s first at the United Cup in 10 matches across singles and doubles. She entered the day 6-0 in singles and 9-0 overall. The win gives Spain a 1-0 lead over the United States, and it sets up an interesting men’s singles match between Taylor Fritz and Jaume Munar. Bouzas Maneiro’s victory is a significant one, and it marks a major milestone in her career. She will look to build on this momentum as she continues to compete in the United Cup and beyond. The match was a thrilling one, with both players giving it their all, and it was a great display of tennis for the fans in attendance.
