US Open opener

Coco Gauff opened her quest for a second US Open title on Tuesday night with a sharp 6-3, ​6-4 straight-sets win over Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as reported by ESPN, the New York Post and Essentially Sports. The match lasted one hour and 20 minutes, according to ESPN. Gauff, who is 22 years old, was pushed to three sets in five of her previous seven first-round matches at Flushing Meadows, ESPN reported.

Gauff came out serving well from the start, per the New York Post, reaching 125 mph on her serve and hitting five aces. She won 64% of her second serve points, according to ESPN, which cited that as her third-highest percentage in a US Open match. Gauff did not face a break point in the first set, Essentially Sports reported, but had to save break points in the sixth game of the second set. Sonmez saved a match point in the ninth game of the second set, per Essentially Sports.

Gauff on her mindset

Speaking in an on-court TV interview, Gauff said, "Um, actually, I wasn’t that nervous today, which is a shock. When I walked back out on this court, I was trying to hold back a smile," as quoted by the New York Post and Essentially Sports. "It’s incredible to be back out on this court, thank you, guys. It’s never something I take for granted, and I love playing in this atmosphere."

Gauff acknowledged that Sonmez raised her level in the second set, pushing her to respond. "I think I was just trying not to panic," Gauff said, as quoted by the New York Post. "[Sonmez] started coming to the net and playing great tennis. I know that I can raise my level if I need to, and I like to challenge my opponent to keep up that level the whole match."

Essentially Sports noted that Gauff's victory was attributed to her improved mentality and focus, which she described as a contrast to previous years, rather than solely on her physical performance or tactics. ESPN reported that Gauff returned to New York with the confidence and momentum of a serious contender, having won the title in Cincinnati before the tournament, after semifinal runs at Wimbledon and Toronto.

Context and next round

ESPN noted that Gauff won the US Open title in 2023 as a teenager, and that she had been pushed to three sets in five of her previous seven first-round matches in New York. This year, however, Gauff faced no break points in the first set, and only briefly lost control early in the second before regaining it, per Essentially Sports and ESPN.

Gauff's win sets up a second-round meeting against either Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa, as reported by both ESPN and the New York Post. No. 17 Alex Eala was scheduled to play later on Tuesday, ESPN reported.

Gauff could become the world No. 1 after the US Open, ESPN reported, though that would require her to win the title and have Elena Rybakina lose before the semifinals, among other results involving Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.