Coco Gauff Overcomes Early Challenge as US Open Day One Sees Dramatic Comebacks
NEW YORK — Defending champion Coco Gauff navigated her opening match at the US Open with a calculated performance, securing a straight-sets victory against Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez. While the 6-3, 6-4 scoreline might suggest a routine outing, the fourth-seeded American was pushed by her opponent, reflecting the competitive depth of this year’s draw.
Gauff, who captured her maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2023, looked sharp but was forced to remain alert as Sonmez produced moments of genuine quality. The young American even found herself applauding her opponent’s shot-making, including a pinpoint running forehand and a delicate, spinning volley that narrowly cleared the net.
“I know that I can raise my level if I need to, and I like to challenge my opponent to let them keep up the level the whole match,” Gauff said following the victory. “And if they do, I clap my hands and I walk off court with my head held high.”
As she advances to the second round, Gauff finds herself in a strong position, carrying significant momentum from a productive lead-up to the tournament. Having reached the semifinals in Wimbledon and Toronto, followed by a title run in Cincinnati, Gauff enters this year’s US Open with a confidence that contrasts sharply with the uncertainty of previous years. Gauff is now set for a compelling second-round matchup against either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina.
Resilience and Rain in New York
While Gauff maintained control, the opening day of the tournament was defined by grit elsewhere on the grounds. In a stunning turnaround, Maria Sakkari clawed her way back from a 6-2, 4-0 deficit to defeat American prospect Robin Montgomery 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.
“I just kept telling myself that everything is possible,” Sakkari explained. “I tried to get myself in a good place mentally… Everyone is very good in tennis nowadays, but I told myself to just hang in there, and it worked.”
The men’s draw also saw a display of sheer endurance as fifth-seeded Flavio Cobolli fought back from a two-set deficit to overcome Francisco Comesana in an exhausting four-hour marathon. Reflecting on the match, Cobolli noted the inherent intensity of major tournaments, saying, “In Grand Slams, it’s never done. You have to fight until the last point.”
The day was not without its logistical hurdles, as persistent rain caused repeated delays throughout the grounds. Play was largely confined to the two main stadiums equipped with retractable roofs, forcing organizers to reschedule a significant number of matches for Wednesday. As the tournament progresses, the combination of unpredictable weather and the high-stakes mentality of the players promises a week of intense competition.
