Coco Gauff rode her hot serving hand into the second round of the US Open on Tuesday night, defeating Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-4 in a high quality affair under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof.
On a rainy night in Queens Gauff’s serve reigned supreme as the 22-year-old American won 16 of 25 second serve points and hit five aces against three double faults to get past the talented world No.53 in 80 minutes.
The victory marks a seventh straight victory for Gauff, who claimed the title in Cincinnati and will face either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina in the second round.
2023 champion Gauff, one of four players who could finish the US Open with the No.1 ranking, saved four of five break points to improve to 21-6 lifetime at the US Open.
Gauff, along with current world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, all need to win the title in order to reach the No.1 ranking. If none of the three can do it, Elena Rybakina will rise to No.1.
More to follow…
