The atmosphere was electric at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the U.S. Open on Monday as fans rallied for Coco Gauff with chants of, “Here we go, Coco! Here we go!” This marked Gauff’s first match as the defending champion in her debut Grand Slam tournament, but she faced an early setback, trailing 1-0 to Varvara Gracheva after a rough start filled with errors.
However, Gauff demonstrated resilience, saving three break points in a tightly contested game that lasted eight minutes before finally claiming it. From there, she took full command of the match, securing a dominant 6-2, 6-0 victory that not only advanced her to the second round but also highlighted her improvement in form.
Reflecting on her recent challenges, the 20-year-old Gauff shared, “The last couple of weeks were tough… I have to prove all the expectations that I have on myself.” She acknowledged the long journey ahead, stating, “I have many more years coming back here, and I’m not going to win every year.”
The opening day of the U.S. Open also saw another promising American player, 13th-seeded Ben Shelton, who defeated former champion Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Shelton praised Gauff’s passion and dedication on the court, highlighting her connection with the audience.
Monday’s matches also featured former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, who suffered a surprising defeat against Clara Burel, and the legendary Novak Djokovic, who overcame Radu Albot in straight sets. Among the seeded women advancing were Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen, and Madison Keys. Notably, Maria Sakkari withdrew after just one set due to a shoulder injury.
Zheng, fresh off a stellar season, needed to rally against Amanda Anisimova but ultimately secured her win at 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, emphasizing the importance of humility and hard work. Gauff echoed a similar sentiment as she sought to reset herself after recent struggles in other tournaments, feeling optimistic about her performance despite earlier setbacks.
In just 66 minutes, Gauff showcased her prowess, delivering 10 aces and never facing break points in her match, while also outpacing Gracheva in winners. Madison Keys recognized Gauff’s maturity and ability to handle pressure at such a young age, expressing admiration for her composure and skill on the court.