Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open women’s champion, continued her title defense with an impressive victory over Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the second round on Wednesday night. Playing under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff overcame early nerves to secure a 6-4, 6-0 win, advancing to the third round of the tournament.
Gauff, now 20 years old, has become a must-watch player in New York following her first Grand Slam triumph last year. However, the pressure of being the top-ranked American woman was evident early in the match. The night matches at Arthur Ashe, known for their electric atmosphere, seemed to add an extra layer of tension for Gauff, who struggled to find her rhythm in the opening set.
The match began on a shaky note for Gauff as she was broken in her first service game. Her first serve percentage was low, and she had to battle through three deuces to avoid being broken a second time. Despite these challenges, Gauff gradually found her footing and began to impose her game on Maria.
With the first set tied at 3-3, Gauff earned a crucial break, capitalizing on Maria’s reliance on slicing to disrupt her rhythm. From that point on, Gauff took control of the match, showcasing her power and athleticism. Although her game was far from flawless—she committed seven double faults and 20 unforced errors in the first set—Gauff’s ability to regroup and dominate the second set was a testament to her growing maturity on the court.
One of the highlights of the match came when Gauff executed a brilliant drop shot, setting up an easy winner that gave her a 5-3 lead in the first set. This moment of brilliance seemed to boost her confidence, and she carried that momentum into the second set, where she broke Maria twice early on and never looked back. The second set was a masterclass in dominance, as Gauff won it without dropping a game.
The final point of the match was a fitting conclusion to Gauff’s performance. After a grueling rally, she sealed the victory with a backhand winner, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The win sets up a challenging third-round encounter with world No. 27 Elina Svitolina, a match that will test Gauff’s resolve as she continues her quest to become the first woman to defend the US Open title since Serena Williams did so from 2012 to 2014.
While Gauff is still young, she is already handling the weight of expectation with grace. Her ability to navigate the pressures of the spotlight and perform at a high level bodes well for her future in the sport. As she moves forward in the tournament, Gauff will undoubtedly draw on the experience gained from matches like this one, where she had to overcome both her opponent and her nerves.
In a city that never sleeps, Gauff’s journey at the US Open is just beginning, and the tennis world will be watching closely as she continues to make her mark on the sport.
