US OPEN – Coco Gauffová (20) launched the defense of last year’s triumph at the US Open in a sovereign manner. The world number three started this year’s home event of the big four with a crushing 6:2, 6:0 victory over Varvara Gračová (24). Great form was confirmed by last year’s finalist Aryna Sabalenková (26), who dealt with qualifier Priscilla Honová (26) and extended her invincibility to six matches.
Gračová – Gauffová 2:6, 0:6
Coco Gauff experienced a fabulous US Open Series last year, when she triumphed at the WTA 500 (Washington), 1000 events (Cincinnati) and Grand Slams (US Open) for the first time in her career. This year, on the contrary, she is not doing well at this time of the season, which she will try to change in Flushing Meadows.
The world number three and one of the biggest favorites is certainly under a lot of pressure in New York, however, she handled the opening match against the Russian-born Varvara Gračová, representing France, with complete control.
She didn’t play a single point in the first game on the return and faced three break point threats in the following game. After turning them away, she continued to dominate in the key moments and in the end allowed the opponent only two games in total. In the match, she scored 10 aces and destroyed all nine break points. She only stayed on the court for an hour and a few minutes.
Match statistics. (@livesport)
The reigning US Open champion, who is waiting for another triumph since her successful defense in Auckland in January, was regularly advancing to the final rounds just a few weeks ago. However, she has not been doing well recently, after failures in the round of 16 at Wimbledon and the Olympic tournament, she won only one of three preliminary matches in the 1000s in Toronto and Cincinnati.
He is playing the US Open main event for the sixth time. While she finished the first three starts in the first week, the year before last she was eliminated only in the quarterfinals, and last year she made it all the way to the champion’s trophy thanks to the scalps of Karolína Muchová and Aryna Sabalenková.
She will continue her defense of last year’s championship at the New York major with a duel with Tatjana Maria. So far, she has only faced the German veteran last year in popular Auckland and allowed her just five games.
Honová – Sabalenková 3:6, 3:6
Aryna Sabalenková managed her opening appearance at the US Open for the seventh time in her career. Defending last year’s final, the world number two stepped up with a 6:3, 6:3 victory over Australian Priscilla Hon, and extended her unbeaten streak to 6 matches and 12 sets after her triumph at the 1000 in Cincinnati.
Smooth from Sabalenka in Round 1! pic.twitter.com/Z6ua3fiVfe
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024
“I didn’t play my best tennis today. I had to fight for every point and look for the right shots. But I’m happy that I won in two sets, even though I didn’t feel the best on the court.” commented the twenty-six-year-old Belarusian self-critically about her performance, even though she played 27 winners and only 16 unforced errors.
Lucia Bronzettiová (H2H 1:0) awaits Sabalenko in the second round. She beat the Italian in Brisbane this year 2-0 in sets.
US Open women’s singles results
The article was originally published for Livesport News.
