Coco Gauff commenced her quest for a second US Open title with a decisive 6-3, 6-4 win over Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American, seeded fourth in the tournament, entered with significant momentum after clinching the Cincinnati title and exhibited promising signs with her serve during this controlled first-round match.
Gauff seized an early advantage in the first set, breaking Sonmez in the sixth game and comfortably securing the set. She maintained her pressure at the start of the second set with an immediate break, establishing a strong position. Although Sonmez retaliated by breaking back to level at 2-2 and challenged Gauff through a prolonged service game, the American held firm. Gauff fended off three break points, using a 115mph ace to navigate out of trouble and hold for 3-3.
This crucial hold set the stage for Gauff, as Sonmez faltered in her next service game with two double faults, allowing Gauff to break again. The American capitalized on this advantage, ultimately serving out the match after one hour and 20 minutes. Gauff’s performance was marked by five aces and three double faults, winning 71% of points on her first serve and nearly two-thirds on her second serve, while losing her serve only once.
The victory highlights Gauff’s ongoing improvement, particularly in her serve, which has become more consistent following extensive work on her technique. This newfound reliability has enabled her to adopt a more aggressive baseline game, alleviating pressure on other aspects of her play. Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face either Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa in the second round.
Gauff also has the opportunity to ascend to the world No. 1 ranking, contingent on winning the US Open and Elena Rybakina’s exit prior to the semi-finals. For now, Gauff can derive confidence from her strong opening performance at the venue where she claimed her first Grand Slam title in 2023.