Coco Gauff faced a demanding test against Spain's Paula Badosa before ultimately clinching a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) win. The American, seeded fourth and fresh off her 2023 US Open triumph, advanced to the third round where she will meet fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa. The match unfolded on a hot evening that stood in stark contrast to the rain‑soaked opening days of the tournament. Playing on Arthur Ashe Court, Gauff enjoyed the support of a partisan crowd and carried the ambition of adding a third Grand Slam title to her résumé.

Badosa, ranked 87th in the world, may have been lower on paper, but she entered the contest with a positive head‑to‑head record against Gauff, having defeated her in their last two meetings – a straight‑sets victory in the first round of last year’s Australian Open and a recent win on the grass courts of Berlin during the summer swing. Early in the match, Badosa pressed hard, creating early break‑point chances and forcing Gauff to defend twice. A pivotal moment arrived when Badosa committed a costly forehand error, which seemed to shake her confidence and rhythm. Gauff seized the opportunity, breaking serve and closing out the first set to take the lead.

The second set proved equally dramatic. Both competitors exchanged breaks twice, pushing the set to a tiebreak. Badosa raised her intensity, searching for a way back into the match, while Gauff remained composed. In the tiebreak, Gauff once again capitalized on a long ball from Badosa, celebrated exuberantly by the crowd, and secured the set and the match.

Afterward, the 22‑year‑old reflected on the encounter, saying, "Paula is a tough player. I felt I had the lead but didn’t do much wrong. She stepped it up.

I’m really happy to be through today. I saw the draw – definitely not someone you want to meet in the second round. Former world number two, great competitor.

I think I need matches like this to build my confidence. I’m happy with how I managed today, even though there were a few nerves." In other sections of the tournament, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva breezed into the third round after a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory 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 addressed lingering fitness concerns following her retirement from the Cincinnati Open, noting, "It wasn’t perfect preparation at all. I was a bit upset watching everyone practice for the tournament, but I focused on recovery and gym work.

I’m super happy to be here." The headline of the day, however, belonged to Alexander Zverev, who survived a harrowing five‑set battle that stretched deep into the night. After a grueling opening‑round match against Lorenzo Sonego, Zverev again found himself in a tight contest, this time versus France’s Quentin Halys. The top seed surrendered a two‑set lead, eventually prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 6-3 after more than four and a half hours of play. The match concluded at 2:15 a.m.

local time (7:15 a.m. UK time), securing Zverev a third‑round meeting with Alejandro Tabilo. This feat made Zverev the first top‑seeded man in the Open Era to begin a major with back‑to‑back five‑set matches.

Zverev’s post‑match comments were candid: "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 why I train – in the gym, on the track – to be able to pull through in these tough moments when you’re not hitting winners left and right. I hope at some point I’ll start playing better, but for now I’m happy to be in the third round." On the younger side of the draw, American teenager Tien Learner delivered a generational upset, ending Gaël Monfils’ Grand Slam run with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory. Monfils, celebrating his 40th birthday, had previously defeated Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round, extending his stay in New York.

However, the veteran appeared fatigued as the night grew muggy, turning to the crowd for encouragement before Tien, the 14th seed, steadied his own game. After securing the opening set, the 20‑year‑old continued to dictate play, absorbing Monfils’ bursts of aggression and sealing the match to set up a third‑round encounter with Czech Jakub Mensik. Monfils attempted a final, emotion‑driven surge in the third set, showcasing his trademark shot‑making, but Tien held firm, embraced the French showman warmly, and advanced. 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 options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, and the Laver Cup will also be shown live from The O2 in London between September 25‑27.