Pat Cash could yet celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1987 Wimbledon triumph with another title at the All England Club.
Cash has taken on a coaching role with American Coco Vandeweghe and is already making his mark, guiding the Australian Open semi-finalist into the second week of the championships.
"He's present at all my practices, all my matches. He's made a commitment to the working team. So I think a pretty big impact," Vandeweghe said of Cash.
Vandeweghe, the 24th seed, has yet to drop a set in three matches employing Cash-like serve-volley tactics on more than 10 per cent of points.
"If I stayed back, maybe (used) the floater, she would feel more comfortable in getting the ball into play and everything like that," Vandeweghe said after cruising past compatriot Alison Riske 6-2 6-4 in 75 minutes on Saturday.
"My idea was I'm going to take it out of the air so she can't feel like she can just chip it back and get into play and play from the ground."
Vandeweghe is riding a wave of confidence after winning her past five completed grasscourt matches and said her breakout run to the last four in Melbourne added to her belief that she could go all the way at Wimbledon.
"I go into matches thinking that I can win every match I play," the 25-year-old said.
"I do expect it of myself, and I have set goals this year to do that.
"Confidence is a huge thing for me."
Vandeweghe faces her first big test of the tournament on Monday against resurgent former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki.
The Danish fifth seed posted a hard-earned 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 third-round comeback win over Estonian Anett Kontaveit.
"She's a very good player," Vandeweghe said of Wozniacki.
"She's a very consistent player in the rankings. I think she's very accomplished.
"I think it will be a fun match to play. Hopefully we'll get a good court."
The winner will meet either five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams or Croatian Ana Konjuh in Tuesday's quarter-finals.
Share
