Coco Gauff has advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open for the fifth consecutive year, defeating former world No. 2 Paula Badosa in a challenging second-round match. Gauff secured the victory with a 6-4, 7-6(5) scoreline on Thursday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
This win marked Gauff's eighth consecutive victory and extended her streak of winning sets to 16. The American expressed that being tested in matches is beneficial for her confidence, especially after losing her last two encounters against Badosa, including one in June at the Berlin Tennis Open. Gauff acknowledged that facing Badosa, a player she has lost to multiple times, so early in the tournament was not ideal but ultimately served as a significant confidence booster.
Gauff admitted to experiencing nerves during the match, which were evident early in the first set as she struggled to hold serve. However, by the sixth game, she began to control her shots more effectively. The second set saw both players trade breaks before heading into a competitive tiebreak, where Gauff ultimately prevailed. Her serve reached speeds of 121 mph during the match.
Badosa, who had played for a third consecutive day due to a rain delay earlier in the week, still presented a strong challenge to Gauff. Gauff's next opponent in the third round will be Spain's Cristina Bucșa.
Gauff also commented on her perspective regarding the world No. 1 ranking versus Grand Slam titles. While acknowledging that reaching the top ranking would be a notable achievement, she stated her primary focus remains on winning Grand Slams, drawing inspiration from Serena Williams' career trajectory. She indicated that while she cares about the ranking, it is not a source of nervousness for her, and her main goal is major championship success.