Coco Gauff Starts US Open Strong with Quick Victory

Coco Gauff, treating this year’s US Open as a “victory lap,” started her title defense with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win over Varvara Gracheva in just 66 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff, 20, who claimed her first Grand Slam title at last year’s US Open and reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open and French Open this year has faced recent struggles with form.

She recently experienced early exits in Cincinnati and Toronto and a third-round loss at the Paris Olympics. Despite these challenges, Coco Gauff’s performance against Gracheva was her best in recent times, inspired by a supportive fan comment on TikTok that shifted her perspective. In other matches, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen overcame Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, recovering from a set down to advance.

Zheng, reflecting on her win as a step forward in her mental game, noted the importance of staying grounded after success. Australian teenager Iva Jovic made headlines with a major upset, defeating world number 40 Magda Linette 6-4, 6-3 for her first WTA match win. France’s Clara Burel also achieved a remarkable comeback overcoming Sloane Stephens 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 after losing the first nine games.

In other results, Victoria Azarenka a three-time US Open runner-up defeated Yulia Starodubtseva 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. Daria Kasatkina the 12th seed beat Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 6-4 while Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova won against Marina Bassols Ribera 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. American 13th seed Emma Navarro had a quick victory over Anna Blinkova, 6-1, 6-1.

However, Maria Sakkari, the ninth seed, retired injured after losing the first set to Wang Yafan. Madison Keys, the 14th seed, advanced with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Katerina Siniakova. Second seed Aryna Sabalenka is set to play against Priscilla Hon later.