Gauff secures US Open third-round berth with confident win over Badosa
The 22-year-old defending champion overcame a resilient Paula Badosa in straight sets, setting up a third-round clash with fellow Spaniard Cristina Bucsa.
Coco Gauff has advanced to the third round of the US Open, securing a straight-sets victory over Spain’s Paula Badosa in a match that opened the evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 22-year-old American, who is attempting to defend the title she won in 2023, defeated Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in just under two hours.
The result marks a significant shift in the head-to-head dynamic between the two players, as Gauff had previously lost five of their eight meetings. Despite this historical disadvantage, Gauff delivered a largely confident performance, breaking Badosa’s serve in the seventh game of the opening set after the Spaniard missed a drop shot. Gauff then held serve to love to extend her lead, comfortably clinching the first set with a solid service game.
The second set saw Badosa, a 28-year-old born in Manhattan, push back harder. After Gauff broke serve in the third game, Badosa levelled the set at 4-4 and held off two break points to take a 5-4 lead. However, Gauff regained the initiative to level at 5-5, and the pair swapped breaks of serve to force a tie-break. Gauff sealed the match when Badosa struck a backhand long.
Reflecting on the encounter, Gauff acknowledged the importance of such matches for her mental preparation. "I think I need matches like this to build my confidence," Gauff said. "I'm happy how I managed today -- there were a little bit of nerves. I knew she would raise her level. She's capable of blasting winners and blasting return winners."
Gauff will now face another Spanish opponent, Cristina Bucsa, in the third round. The victory provides the defending champion with momentum as she looks to retain her US Open crown.
