US Open 2025
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York | Dates: 24 August – 7 September
Coverage: Live on 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus text updates on BBC Sport website & app
Coco Gauff’s US Open title defense got off to a rocky start as the 21-year-old American battled nerves, double faults, and a resilient opponent before finally edging past Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in a dramatic first-round clash.
The third seed needed almost three hours under the lights at Flushing Meadows to grind out a 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 7-5 victory. Her serve, long a source of concern, was again shaky she hit 10 double faults and was broken six times but she found a way through with sheer determination.
“It was a tough match. I had chances to win in straight sets. It wasn’t the best, but I’m happy to get through,” Gauff said afterward. Admitting she’s been struggling with her serve, she added: “It has been really tough mentally exhausting but I’m trying.”
The struggles come just days after Gauff made a surprise coaching shake-up, parting ways with Matt Daly and bringing in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who previously helped Aryna Sabalenka fix her own serving woes. The decision followed Gauff’s Cincinnati meltdown, where she hit 16 double faults in a loss to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini.
Against world No. 79 Tomljanovic, the pressure showed again. Serving for the match at 5-4 in the final set, Gauff was broken, only to recover and finally close it out with a safer serve strategy advised by MacMillan. She let out a primal roar as the ball landed, relief written all over her face.
“She’s got a way to go, confidence-wise, even though she won this match,” 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert said on U.S. television, though she praised the more balanced look of Gauff’s new service motion.
Swiatek Cruises in Opener
While Gauff sweated, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek looked effortless in her opening match. The Polish star, fresh off her first Wimbledon win last month, swept aside Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour.
Swiatek dominated with 26 winners and didn’t face a single break point. “It felt great. First matches are not easy, but it was a solid start,” said the 2022 U.S. Open champion, who also won this month’s Cincinnati Open.
The six-time major winner will meet Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands in round two.
Mixed Fortunes for Americans
Elsewhere, Amanda Anisimova reached the second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Australia’s Kim Birrell. The eighth seed, still recovering from a brutal Wimbledon final loss to Swiatek, settled after a shaky first set and won the last five games of the match. She’ll next face Australian teenager Maya Joint.
Danielle Collins, however, crashed out for the second straight year. Hampered by a back injury, the 2019 Australian Open semifinalist won only two games in a 6-2, 6-0 defeat to Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian.
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka, seeded 23rd, advanced smoothly with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Belgium’s Greet Minnen. Meanwhile, German veteran Laura Siegemund upset 20th seed Diana Shnaider 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3.
