Coco Gauff faced a stern examination on the Arthur Ashe Court when she met Spain's Paula Badosa, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). The American, seeded fourth and fresh off her 2023 US Open triumph, advanced to the third round where she will encounter fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa. The match unfolded on a hot evening that stood in stark contrast to the rain‑soaked conditions of the tournament's opening days.
Backed by a vocal home crowd, Gauff was eager to keep her quest for a third Grand Slam title alive. Badosa, ranked 87th in the world, entered the encounter with a psychological edge: she held a winning record against Gauff, having taken both of their previous meetings in straight sets – first at the Australian Open first round last year and most recently during the grass‑court swing in Berlin. Early in the match, the Spaniard applied pressure, creating break opportunities that forced Gauff to save two break points.
However, a crucial error from Badosa—a mistimed forehand that sailed long—gave Gauff the opening break, allowing her to close out the first set and seize the initiative. The second set proved equally gripping. Both competitors exchanged service games, each breaking the other's serve twice, which led to a decisive tiebreak.
Badosa raised her intensity, searching for a foothold, but Gauff maintained composure. When Badosa hit a deep, looping shot, Gauff pounced, winning the point and ultimately the tiebreak, securing her place in the next round.
After the match, the 22‑year‑old reflected, "Paula is a tough player. I felt I was in control most of the time, but she stepped up. I'm really happy to be through today.
I saw the draw and definitely didn't want to face a former world No.2 so early. Matches like this build my confidence, even though there were nerves." Elsewhere in the tournament, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva breezed into the third round with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Germany's Eva Lys, setting up a clash with Czech Nikola Bartunkova. World No. 2 Elena Rybakina also progressed comfortably, dispatching Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour.
Rybakina, who recently withdrew from the Cincinnati Open due to fitness concerns, addressed the issue in a post‑match interview, saying, "My preparation wasn't perfect, but I focused on recovery and gym work. I'm thrilled to be here and ready to compete." The headline of the night belonged to Alexander Zverev, who survived a harrowing five‑set battle that stretched well past midnight.
After a grueling opening‑round duel with Lorenzo Sonego, Zverev faced fellow Frenchman Quentin Halys and found himself in another marathon. He dropped the second set after surrendering a two‑set lead, and the match swung back and forth, with both players taking a set each before heading into a third‑set tiebreak. Ultimately, Zverev clinched the final set 6-3, sealing a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 victory after more than four and a half hours of play. The match did not conclude until 2:15 a.m.
local time (7:15 a.m. UK time), earning Zverev a third‑round encounter with Alejandro Tabilo.
Zverev's win marked a historic moment: he became the first top‑seeded male player in the Open Era (since 1968) to begin a major with back‑to‑back five‑set matches. In his post‑match comments, the German admitted, "The performance was quite s***, to be honest.
But I won, and that's what matters. I've been here for another four and a half hours.
That's why I train hard—so I can survive these tough moments when I'm not hitting winners left and right. I hope I can start playing better soon, but for now I'm happy to be in the third round." On the other side of the draw, young American Tien Learner delivered a generational upset, ending Gaël Monfils' Grand Slam run.
The 20‑year‑old secured a straight‑sets victory, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, over the veteran Frenchman, who had celebrated his 40th birthday with a first‑round win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo. Monfils, visibly fatigued as the evening grew muggy, turned to the crowd for encouragement, but Tien remained unfazed, dictating play and absorbing Monfils' bursts of aggression. After taking the opening set, Tien continued to dominate, eventually sealing the match and earning a place against Czech Jakub Mensik in the third round. Monfils made a final, emotion‑filled push in the third set, showcasing his trademark flair, but Tien held firm, embracing the French showman after the win.
Monfils announced he will retire at the end of the year. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming available on NOW and the Sky Sports app without a contract. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at the O2 in London from September 25‑27, also shown on Sky Sports.