Coco Gauff, the American star, found herself in a real fight right away at the US Open. She advanced past Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in a tough three-set match. This first-round win in New York kicks off her run in the season’s final major tournament.
The Tuesday night match in Flushing Meadows started with a surprise. Ajla Tomljanovic, a 32-year-old seasoned player, jumped ahead. She immediately broke Gauff’s serve in the very first game. Gauff, currently ranked world number three, looked a bit unsteady. This came after she had just changed her coaching team before the tournament started.
But the 21-year-old American quickly found her footing. She fought hard, winning five of the last six games in the first set. Despite her efforts, Tomljanovic held on to win the opening set 6-4. Tomljanovic, ranked 79th globally, kept pushing. In the second set, Gauff took a 4-2 lead. Tomljanovic, however, refused to give up. She battled back, forcing a tie-break. Gauff then showed her champion’s nerve, winning the tie-break 7-2 and securing the set 7-6. This leveled the match at one set each.
The final set was a true seesaw battle. Both players traded service breaks. Many unforced errors added to the tension. But Gauff, with her determination, landed the decisive blows. She closed out the set 7-5, ending the match. The fierce contest lasted nearly three hours.
What’s Next for Gauff?
Gauff, who lifted the US Open trophy in 2023, now moves to the second round. She will face the winner of an upcoming match. That contest features Croatian Donna Vekic, ranked 49th, against Spanish player Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who is WTA number 40.
The US Open is currently in its 139th edition. It takes place in Flushing Meadows, New York. The tournament will run until September 8. The woman who claims the title will take home a huge prize. She will earn five million US dollars, which translates to about 4.3 million Euros.
Other Top Contenders
Beyond Gauff, other big names are also in the spotlight. World number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is one to watch. She is the defending champion, looking to win again. Polish star Iga Swiatek, WTA number two, is another strong contender. Swiatek previously won the tournament in 2022.