Coco Gauff received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday during her first match at the U.S. Open, where she is defending her title. Despite struggling initially against Varvara Gracheva, Gauff rallied to secure a commanding 6-2, 6-0 victory, demonstrating that her game is back in form.
After facing a tough start, where she fell behind 1-0 and faced multiple break points, Gauff managed to save all break opportunities and took control of the match. “The last couple of weeks were tough… I have to prove all the expectations that I have on myself,” said the 20-year-old, who is seeded No. 3 in the tournament. Gauff acknowledged the challenge of living up to expectations but remained focused on her own goals.
Gauff was not the only young American to shine on the first day of the tournament. Ben Shelton, seeded No. 13, also had a successful match, defeating former champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets. “She plays with a lot of passion,” Shelton said of Gauff, highlighting her commitment on the court.
The day featured other notable matches, including former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, who lost a hard-fought battle after leading significantly. Novak Djokovic, another past champion, advanced with a straight-sets victory.
Other seeded female players who progressed included Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, and Donna Vekic, while No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari withdrew due to injury. Among the men’s seeds advancing were Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Grigor Dimitrov, and Taylor Fritz.
Zheng, who had a breakthrough year that included an Olympic gold medal, overcame an early deficit to win her match, emphasizing the need for humility and hard work in every competition. Gauff echoed that sentiment as she returned to the venue of her greatest success, having experienced challenges in recent tournaments.
With a solid performance that included 10 aces and a significant advantage in winners, Gauff expressed confidence in her mentality moving forward in the tournament. Her ability to withstand pressure and expectation continues to impress those in the tennis community.