Coco Gauff just absolutely battled her way into the third round of the US Open on Thursday, taking down Spain’s Paula Badosa in a straight-sets victory! This was a massive win for the 22-year-old American star, who is dead set on repeating her incredible 2023 US Open championship run.
A Rivalry Reset
Seriously, this wasn’t just another win. Before this clash, Gauff had lost *five* of her eight previous meetings with Badosa. Think about that: a 5-3 losing record against her rival! So when she stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for the evening session, you just knew there was a score to settle. And settle it she did! Gauff powered past Badosa with a dominant 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) performance, all wrapped up in just under two hours. It was a largely confident showing from Gauff, and honestly, she never looked like she was gonna let this latest encounter slip away from her. The focus was locked in, the determination was clear, and the outcome? A total game-changer for her confidence.
Grinding It Out, Building Confidence
The first set saw Gauff break Badosa in the seventh game after the 28-year-old Manhattan-born Spaniard completely fluffed a risky drop shot right into the net. Gauff then held serve to love, pushing her lead to 5-3, before comfortably clinching the opening set with another rock-solid service game.
In the second set, Gauff looked ready to take control early, breaking Badosa again in the third game. What was the culprit this time for Badosa? Another delicate drop volley that fell short. But Badosa’s no slouch, she broke back to knot the set at 4-4 and even fought off two break points to grab a 5-4 lead. Talk about a roller coaster! Gauff wasn’t rattled though, leveling it at 5-5. The two women then swapped breaks of serve, pushing it to a tie-break. Gauff sealed her victory when Badosa smacked a backhand long, a fitting end to a hard-fought match. After it all, Gauff admitted, “I think I need matches like this to build my confidence.” She was happy with how she managed the nerves, knowing Badosa would raise her level. That self-awareness is exactly what you want to see from a champion in the making!
So what’s next for our American phenom? Gauff is now set for a third-round showdown against yet *another* Spaniard, Cristina Bucsa. With her sights firmly set on repeating her 2023 US Open triumph, every single match is a vital step. Let’s keep that momentum rolling, Coco!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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