Coco Gauff just pulled off a seriously gritty win at the US Open, fighting her way past Paula Badosa in the second round and keeping her hunt for a second title alive. This wasn’t some walk in the park; Gauff, the fourth seed, had dropped her last two matches against Badosa, but she served up some ice-cold composure when it mattered most.
Gauff Stares Down Disaster and Says “Nah”
Seriously, this match was wild. Gauff was twice a break up in the second set and actually served for the match at 6-5. Then, boom, a volley right into the net, sending the whole thing to a tie-break. You could hear her yell a quick “why?” toward her team, a moment of pure frustration we’ve all felt. But here’s the kicker: she reset. And not just a little reset, a full-on, lights-out, solid performance to close out the victory on her second match point. Her improved second serve was absolutely clutch, winning 57% of points behind it and only giving up five double faults. Gauff, only 22, put it best herself: “I saw the draw, it is definitely not someone you want to play in the second round. But I need matches like this to build my confidence and I’m happy with how I managed today.” She knows what’s up, saying that getting through in straight sets “makes a big difference.” This wasn’t some three-hour slog, it was a battle-tested win where she came out on top.
Top-10 Takes Over and Osaka Fights Her Own Demons
The Gauff drama wasn’t the only thing cooking. Second seed Elena Rybakina kept her own bid for the top ranking scorching hot, dispatching Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4. Get this: her victory means that for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009, all top-10 women have made it to the third round of a Grand Slam. Talk about some serious firepower early in the tournament! Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka, a two-time US Open champ, had her own wild ride against Katerina Siniakova, winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Osaka served for the match in the second set, squandered a 5-3 lead, and then dropped *four straight games*. She literally left the court to reset her brain, coming back to overpower Siniakova in the decider. Her fashion game was strong too, rocking a white dress embroidered with tennis racquets after her Allen Iverson-inspired first-round outfit. Osaka, 28, admitted it was tough: “I just felt like I was a little bit too hard on myself after opportunities in the second set. I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets.” Six-time major winner and former world number one Iga Swiatek, 25, had a much smoother day, cruising past Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Marie Bouzkova.
This tournament is just getting started, and the drama is already off the charts. Gauff needs to win the title and hope Rybakina doesn’t make the semi-finals if she wants that world number one ranking. You know she’s got her eyes on that prize.
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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