New York, Aug 29 (UNI) Defending champion Coco Gauff battled through a difficult first set before settling into her rhythm to overcome Croatia’s Donna Vekic 7-6(5), 6-2 and advance to the third round of the 2025 US Open today IST.
Playing at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 20-year-old American struggled with her serve early, committing seven double faults in the opener. Despite visible frustration, she was even seen in tears during a changeover, Gauff steadied herself when it mattered most. She held firm in the tiebreak and then raced away with the second set as Vekic’s level dipped.
Vekic, a former world No.17 now ranked 49th, suffered from right arm and shoulder trouble and took a medical timeout late in the first set. She finished with nine double faults and 15 unforced errors in the second set, which left her unable to sustain pressure on the reigning Roland Garros champion.
Gauff, meanwhile, showed her trademark resilience. “Honestly, today was a tough match for me, but I’m just happy with how I was able to manage. It’s been a rough couple of weeks,” she said in her on-court interview, growing emotional as she thanked the New York spectators for their support.
The 2023 US Open winner has now reached the third round in Flushing Meadows for the fourth consecutive year and improved her record in New York to 19 wins from 24 main-draw matches. She next faces 28th seed Magdalena Frech of Poland for a place in the last 16.
Gauff survives Donna Vekic test
