Coco Gauff kicked off her quest for a second US Open title with a straightforward 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The fourth seed from the United States entered the tournament riding high on confidence after securing the Cincinnati title, and her serve looked strong during this controlled first-round display.
Gauff made a decisive move in the first set by breaking Sonmez in the sixth game and then comfortably served out the set. She continued to put pressure on her opponent at the start of the second set, breaking immediately to gain a commanding lead. Despite a spirited fightback from Sonmez, who broke back to level at 2-2 and challenged Gauff in a long service game, Gauff held her nerve. She saved three break points and clinched the game with a powerful 115mph ace to level at 3-3.
That crucial hold shifted the momentum back in Gauff’s favor, as Sonmez encountered difficulties on her serve, committing two double faults to give Gauff another break. The American maintained her lead and served out the match in one hour and 20 minutes. Gauff’s performance was highlighted by five aces and winning 71% of her first-serve points, losing her serve just once.
The victory underscores a promising phase for Gauff, whose serve has become more consistent after diligent work on her technique. This enhanced reliability has allowed her to adopt a more aggressive approach from the baseline, easing the pressure on other aspects of her game. Gauff is set to face either Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa in the second round.
As the tournament progresses, Gauff also stands a chance to ascend to world No. 1. She is one of four contenders for the top ranking, needing to win the US Open and for Elena Rybakina to exit before the semi-finals to achieve this feat. For now, Gauff can draw confidence from her strong start at the tournament where she claimed her first Grand Slam title in 2023.