Coco Gauff faced a formidable challenge from Spain's Paula Badosa before ultimately prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) to move into the third round of the US Open. The American, seeded fourth and fresh off her 2023 US Open triumph, earned a spot against fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa after a tense evening on Arthur Ashe Court that contrasted sharply with the rain-soaked opening days of the tournament. From the first serve, the atmosphere was electric, with a partisan crowd cheering Gauff on as she pursued a third Grand Slam title. Despite being ranked 87th in the world, Badosa entered the match with a psychological edge, having won their last two encounters – a straight‑sets victory at the Australian Open first round last year and a recent win on the grass courts of Berlin during the summer swing.
Those results meant Badosa held a positive head‑to‑head record against the American, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle. Badosa started aggressively, trying to dictate play and forcing Gauff to fend off two early break points. The American’s resilience paid off when she secured a crucial break of serve after Badosa committed an unforced forehand error that seemed to shake her confidence.
Gauff capitalised on the momentum shift, closing out the first set 6-4 and establishing a lead that would prove pivotal. The second set unfolded as a dramatic seesaw, with both players exchanging breaks twice. Each time the score tightened, the tension on the court rose. Badosa, refusing to surrender, elevated her level and pushed the contest to a tiebreak.
In the breaker, the pattern of the match repeated: Badosa produced a long, looping shot that Gauff returned with precision, earning a point that sparked a jubilant celebration from the American. Gauff then sealed the tiebreak 7-5, clinching the match and securing her place in the next round.
After the victory, the 22‑year‑old reflected on the difficulty of the encounter. "Paula is a tough player. I felt like I had the lead but there wasn’t much I did wrong. She stepped it up.
I’m really happy to be through today," Gauff said. She added that the draw had placed her against a former world No. 2 in the second round, describing the match as a confidence‑builder: "I think I need matches like this to build my confidence.
I’m happy with how I managed today. There was a bit of nerves." Elsewhere on the hard courts, other notable results unfolded. 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 cruised past Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour, earning a showdown with Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva. Rybakina, who had recently retired from the Cincinnati Open due to fitness concerns, explained that her preparation had been far from ideal but that she was grateful to be back on the Grand Slam stage.
The men’s draw delivered its own drama as top seed Alexander Zverev survived a grueling five‑set marathon that stretched into the early hours of the morning. After dispatching Lorenzo Sonego in the first round, Zverev faced France’s Quentin Halys and found himself in a familiar predicament: after taking an early two‑set lead, he surrendered the advantage twice, forcing a decisive fifth set.
The German ultimately prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 after more than four and a half hours of tennis, with the final point recorded at 2:15 a.m. local time (7:15 a.m. UK time). This victory set up a third‑round meeting with Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo and made Zverev the first top‑seeded man in the Open Era to begin a major with consecutive five‑set matches.
Speaking candidly after the win, Zverev admitted his performance was far from spectacular: "The performance was quite s***, to be honest. But I won, and that’s the most important thing. I’ve been here for another four and a half hours. That's what I go to the gym for, that's what I go to the track for and that's what I train for, to be able to come out on top in these difficult moments.
When you're not playing your best, when you're not hitting winners left and right, just getting through these matches. I hope at some point I'll start playing better but, for now, I'm happy to be in the third round." The tournament also saw a generational shift as 20‑year‑old American learner Tien ended Gael Monfils' long Grand Slam career. Monfils, who celebrated his 40th birthday with a first‑round win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, was outmatched by the younger opponent, who secured a straight‑sets victory 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
Tien, playing as a wildcard, displayed poise beyond his years, absorbing Monfils' bursts of aggression and maintaining control throughout the match. After sealing the win, Tien embraced the veteran, who announced his intention to retire at the end of the year.
These matches underscore the depth and unpredictability of this year's US Open, where rising stars and seasoned champions alike must navigate physical fatigue, mental pressure, and the relentless New York summer heat. As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters, surprise upsets, and the emergence of new narratives that will shape the legacy of this Grand Slam. The US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers without a contract. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can attend the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also covered by Sky Sports.