Former champion Coco Gauff efficiently launched her US Open marketing campaign with a dominant first-round victory over Zeynep Sonmez.
IMAGE: Coco Gauff of america celebrates victory over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez within the first spherical of the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Tuesday. {Photograph}: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters
Key Factors
- Coco Gauff commenced her US Open marketing campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zeynep Sonmez.
- Gauff is in search of her second US Open crown after her 2023 triumph and the current Cincinnati Open win.
- The American secured a cushty win at Arthur Ashe Stadium, demonstrating her capability to lift her stage when challenged.
- Sonmez confirmed flashes of expertise, briefly unsettling Gauff within the second set earlier than the American reasserted management.
- Gauff will now face both Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa within the second spherical of the match.
IMAGE: Coco Gauff and Zeynep Sonmez embrace on the internet after the match. {Photograph}: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters
Residence favorite Coco Gauff started her marketing campaign for a second US Open crown with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old arrived contemporary from profitable the Cincinnati Open and is chasing a 3rd Grand Slam title after her breakthrough triumph in New York in 2023.
“I wasn’t that nervous at this time, which was a shock,” Gauff mentioned on courtroom. “After I walked again out on this courtroom, I used to be attempting to carry again a smile.”
Gauff’s Dominant First Set Efficiency
IMAGE: Zeynep Sonmez makes a backhand return to Coco Gauff. {Photograph}: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Gauff was in management beneath the lights and closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking the one break of serve within the first set and wrapping up the opener in simply over half an hour.
World quantity 53 Sonmez confirmed flashes of her expertise and produced a string of spectacular winners, together with a blistering backhand that drew applause from the group and even Gauff herself.
Sonmez Challenges, Gauff Reasserts Management
IMAGE: Coco Gauff reacts after effecting a break. {Photograph}: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Sonmez, 24, regarded to have settled within the second set, breaking again instantly after Gauff opened with a break and started testing the American with deep groundstrokes and forays to the online.
Gauff got here beneath strain trailing 3-2 however fought off three break factors to carry and stage the set earlier than breaking Sonmez to reassert management at 4-3.
The American pulled away from there as Sonmez struggled to maintain the extent that had briefly unsettled the fourth seed, leaving Gauff to shut out one other comfy win.
“I do know that I can increase my stage if I must,” Gauff mentioned.
“I prefer to problem my opponent to maintain up that stage the entire match, and in the event that they do, I clap my palms and stroll off the courtroom with my head held excessive. However I used to be in a position to quiet down.”
Gauff, who has reached the fourth spherical or higher on the US Open in every of the final 4 years, will face both Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa within the second spherical.
