Just like in her first-round match, it was clear that Coco Gauff still has a lot to improve on in Flushing if she wants to defend her 2023 US Open title.

What started as a tough second-round match for Gauff ultimately turned into an easier evening for the American, who defeated Germany’s Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-0 on Wednesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 6-0 win in the second set was certainly not a reflection of Gauff’s performance in the first set. Still, she managed to get things in order, making 15 winning sets and only five unforced errors in the set. She eventually came out a bit more comfortable.

“I think I played well overall. I think I just served better. That would have helped in the first set,” Gauff told ESPN after the match.

“I really have nothing to lose. I already have one (Grand Slam) under my belt. I have the potential to do more, whether it’s this year or in the future,” she added when asked how she was coping with the pressure of defending the US Open title.

Gauff, 20, opened the match with three break points, eventually winning the first game, breaking the serve of the veteran German, who has not played on the major US Open stage in six years after taking a break to start a family.

However, the situation quickly turned into a difficult first service game for Gauff.

Maria, 37, took advantage of three break points on Gauff, catching her with deep volleys as she tried to reach the net.

Gauff’s final shot gave Maria the breakthrough.

It was the start of a tough set for Gauff, who seemingly did not have her best serve with seven double faults in the first set, in addition to 20 unforced errors, many of them at key moments.

The match remained in the balance until the seventh game, when Gauff broke Maria’s service game for the second time.

She later did the same in the 10th game over a deuce, winning the set thanks to a hard out-of-bounds hit from Maria, followed by a set-losing ball into the net.