By Erik Gudris | Thursday, August 28 2025
Picture credit score: Jed Jacobsohn/Rolex
The battle is actual for Coco Gauff.
The American famous person admitted as a lot after discovering her means into the third spherical of this yr’s US Open. The No. 3 seed Gauff defeated Donna Vekic 7-6(3), 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium. That was regardless of the 21-year-old Gauff as soon as once more coping with her a lot talked about serving points.
Each gamers endured poor serving, particularly within the first set with Gauff and Vekic combing for a complete of 16 double faults.
After dropping her serve once more to fall behind 4-5, Gauff was visibly distressed throughout the changeover and buried her head in her towel, earlier than wiping away some tears.
After the match, Gauff in her post-match interview admitted that this match, and the previous couple of weeks, have been powerful for her. Not shocking, given all of the current media scrutiny over her hiring biomechanist Gavin MacMillan to assist repair her serve.
“This was a troublesome one. I used to be joyful how I used to be capable of handle. It’s been a tough couple of weeks however I’m simply joyful to be again on this court docket,” Gauff mentioned. “And also you guys carry me a lot pleasure.”
When the gang cheered, Gauff overcome with emotion, stopped briefly to compose herself. Gauff then added. “You guys actually assist me loads. I’m doing this for myself, however I’m additionally doing it for you.”
Gauff, the current Roland-Garros champion, has not had the outcomes she would love since Paris. A primary spherical loss at Wimbledon, adopted by sooner than anticipated exits in Montreal and Cincinnati had many questioning in regards to the former 2023 US Open champion’s type heading into New York. Gauff’s final minute teaching change proper earlier than the US Open, primarily to handle her current serving points, solely added to the hypothesis.
Gauff battled previous Alja Tomjlanovic in three hours in her first spherical match, and it was anticipated Vekic may give the American extra bother this time. Vekic, the 28-year-old Croatian, although unseeded this yr, has numerous wins over high 5 gamers in her profession. Final yr, she reached the Wimbledon semifinals and earned the Olympic Silver medal in singles in Paris.
However neither Gauff or Vekic might construct a lot momentum within the first set as each gamers dedicated a number of errors all through the set. After buying and selling breaks a number of occasions, Vekic managed to get herself to 5-4 the place she would serve for the primary set.
Earlier than that might occur, Vekic took a medical outing to have therapy on her proper arm. When she resumed play, the errors continued for Vekic as she dropped serve at love handy the break again for 5-all.
A tiebreak was finally wanted to determine the set. Gauff with a potent forehand within the mid-court managed to edge forward for 6-5 late within the tiebreak. Gauff then took the set 7-6(5) when Vekic missed a forehand down set level.
Whereas each ladies cleaned up their video games within the second set, it was Gauff who earned the primary benefit. Gauff broke Vekic’s serve once more at like to go up 2-1. Gauff later fended off a break level in her subsequent service sport earlier than going up 3-1.
Gauff earned a safety break late within the set when Vekic, as earlier than, dropped her serve once more at love. Gauff quickly wrapped up the straight units victory with a volley winner to the delight of the house crowd.
Subsequent up for Gauff is No. 28 seed Magdalena Frech of Poland.
