Coco Gauff faced a formidable opponent in Spain's Paula Badosa before ultimately prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (7-5). The American, seeded fourth and fresh off her 2023 US Open triumph, moved on to the third round where she will meet fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa. The match unfolded on a sweltering evening that stood in stark contrast to the rain‑soaked conditions of the tournament's opening days.
Playing on Arthur Ashe Court in front of a supportive crowd, Gauff was determined to keep her quest for a third Grand Slam title alive. Badosa, ranked 87th in the world, entered the encounter with a psychological edge. Despite a sizable gap in rankings, she held a winning record against Gauff, having defeated her in straight sets at the Australian Open first round the previous year and again during the summer grass‑court swing in Berlin. Early in the contest, Badosa pressed hard, creating early break opportunities and forcing Gauff to fend off two break points.
The turning point arrived when the Spaniard committed an uncharacteristic forehand error, a mistake that seemed to shake her confidence. Gauff seized the moment, breaking serve and closing out the first set to take a 1-0 lead. The second set proved equally dramatic.
Both competitors exchanged breaks twice, each trying to wrest control. Badosa raised her intensity, looking for a pathway back into the match, while Gauff remained composed, matching her opponent shot for shot. The set progressed to a tiebreak, where the drama intensified. After a series of long rallies, Badosa hit a deep ball that forced an error from Gauff, but the American quickly recovered, rallying to win the tiebreak and secure the match.
In the post‑match interview, the 22‑year‑old reflected, "Paula is a tough player. I felt I had the lead but there wasn’t much I did wrong.
She stepped it 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 cruised into the third round with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Germany's Eva Lys. The 19‑year‑old will next face Czech Nikola Bartunkova.
World No. 2 Elena Rybakina also advanced comfortably, dispatching Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour. Rybakina, who had recently retired from the Cincinnati Open due to fitness concerns, explained her preparation: "It wasn’t perfect preparation at all.
I was a bit upset watching everyone practice, but I focused on recovery and gym work. I’m super happy to be here." The men's draw delivered its own drama as Alexander Zverev survived a harrowing five‑set battle that stretched into the early hours of the morning. After a grueling opening‑round win over Lorenzo Sonego, Zverev faced fellow Frenchman Quentin Halys. The top seed found himself in a familiar situation, surrendering a set lead twice on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Ultimately, Zverev prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (3), 6-3 after more than four and a half hours of play, 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 clash with Alejandro Tabilo and marked Zverev as the first top‑seeded man in the Open Era to begin a major with consecutive five‑set matches.
In his on‑court interview, Zverev was candid about his performance: "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 – to survive these tough moments when you’re not hitting winners left and right. I hope I’ll start playing better soon, but for now I’m happy to be in the third round." The tournament also witnessed the end of Gael Monfils' Grand Slam career.
Young American Tien, a 20‑year‑old wildcard, defeated the 40‑year‑old French veteran 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in a generational showdown. Monfils, who had celebrated his 40th birthday with a first‑round win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, fought valiantly but could not overcome the youthful energy of Tien. After securing the opening set, Tien maintained his momentum, absorbing Monfils' bursts of aggression and closing out the match. The Frenchman attempted a final, emotion‑filled surge in the third set, showcasing his trademark shot‑making, but Tien held firm and celebrated with a warm embrace of the retiring star, who announced his retirement at the end of the year.
These matches highlight the unpredictable nature of the US Open, where rising talents clash with seasoned veterans, and every set can turn into a marathon. Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports starting August 30, or stream the tournament via NOW and the Sky Sports app without a contract. The Laver Cup will also be broadcast from The O2 in London from September 25‑27, offering additional high‑level tennis for enthusiasts.