The home crowd at Indian Wells helped Coco Gauff to a 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-1 win over Caroline Garcia on Saturday night.
First win in the desert ✅🇺🇸 @CocoGauff wins her debut match in Indian Wells. She defeats Garcia in three sets 6-3,6-7,6-1. 🔥#BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/GNn7cmO84G— wta (@WTA) October 10, 2021
First win in the desert ✅🇺🇸 @CocoGauff wins her debut match in Indian Wells. She defeats Garcia in three sets 6-3,6-7,6-1. 🔥#BNPPO21 pic.twitter.com/GNn7cmO84G
“It’s really special to come out here to a crowd so welcoming,” Gauff said following her BNP Paribas Open debut.
The California fans buoyed Gauff to a 2-hour and 10-minute victory, with the American teen firing 40 winners to Garcia’s 19.
“I always say the crowd makes a difference in a match… and I’m happy this crowd loves me. It’s my first time playing in front of you guys… and I like you back,” said Gauff in her on-court interview.
With her Saturday-night victory, Gauff advances to Round 3 at Indian Wells, where she will face No. 21 seed Paula Badosa.