Coco Gauff faced a formidable opponent in Spain's Paula Badosa before ultimately clinching a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) win. The American, seeded fourth and fresh off her triumph at the 2023 US Open, moved one step closer 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 conditions that had marked the tournament's opening days.
Playing on the iconic Arthur Ashe Court, Gauff enjoyed the vocal support of a partisan crowd and harbored ambitions of adding a third Grand Slam title to her résumé. Badosa, ranked 87th in the world, may have been an underdog on paper, but she entered the contest with a psychological edge.
She owned 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 first set, Badosa pressed hard, creating opportunities and forcing Gauff to fend off two break points.
The turning point arrived when Badosa committed an uncharacteristic forehand error that seemed to shake her confidence. Gauff capitalized on the lapse, breaking serve and eventually sealing the opening set to take the lead. The second set evolved into a seesaw battle, with both competitors exchanging breaks twice.
As the set progressed, Badosa raised her intensity, looking for a foothold to mount a comeback. The deadlock led to a tiebreak, during which Badosa produced a spectacular long ball that forced a rally. Gauff responded with a burst of energy, winning the point and, ultimately, the tiebreak. The victory sparked a jubilant celebration from the American, who praised Badosa's resilience while acknowledging the significance of the win.
"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 after the match.
She added, "I saw the draw. Definitely not someone you want to play in the second round. Former number two in the world.
Great competitor. 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." In other sections of the tournament, French Open champion Mirra Andreeva breezed into the third round with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Germany's Eva Lys.
The 19‑year‑old will now face Czech hopeful 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, setting up a clash with Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva. Rybakina addressed lingering concerns about her fitness after a mid‑tournament retirement in Cincinnati, explaining that her preparation had been far from ideal but that she had focused on recovery and gym work to ensure she could compete at her best.
The headline of the day, however, belonged to Alexander Zverev, who survived a dramatic late‑night ordeal to defeat Quentin Halys in a marathon five‑set encounter that did not conclude until 2:15 a.m. local time (7:15 a.m. UK time).
Zverev, the top seed, had already endured a grueling three‑set battle against Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round and found himself in a similar predicament against Halys, surrendering a set lead twice on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Ultimately, Zverev emerged victorious with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 scoreline after more than four and a half hours of play. The win secured his place in a third‑round showdown with Alejandro Tabilo and marked a historic moment: Zverev became the first top‑seeded man in the Open Era (since 1968) to open a major with back‑to‑back five‑set matches. Reflecting on his performance, Zverev admitted, "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." On the men's side, a young American named Tien made headlines by ending Gael Monfils' Grand Slam career. The 20‑year‑old secured a straight‑sets victory, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, over the French veteran in a clash of generations.
Monfils, who had celebrated his 40th birthday with a first‑round win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, seemed fatigued as the evening progressed. He turned to the crowd for a surge of energy, but Tien remained composed, tightening his grip on the match. After taking the opening set, Tien continued to dictate play, absorbing Monfils' bursts of aggression and ultimately sealing the win.
The Frenchman mounted a final, emotion‑filled charge in the third set, showcasing his trademark shot‑making, but Tien held firm, embracing Monfils warmly after the match. Monfils announced he will retire at the end of the year, making Tien's victory a symbolic passing of the torch. 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, offering fans flexible ways to follow the action without a contract. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can look forward to the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from September 25‑27, also televised on Sky Sports.
The tournament's blend of rising stars, seasoned champions, and dramatic late‑night finishes underscores the enduring excitement of Grand Slam tennis.