Coco Gauff was pushed to the brink but survived a stern first-round test at the US Open, edging past Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights on Tuesday. Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, dazzled on and off the court as she powered through her opener in straight sets.
Gauff, the 2023 champion, arrived in New York with a revamped team after parting ways with mentor Matt Daly and enlisting biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan to address her service struggles. But the 20-year-old looked shaky early, dropping serve in the opening game and producing a string of errors before settling into her rhythm.
She broke decisively to claim the first set and appeared in control at 4-2 in the second, only for Tomljanovic – best remembered for her victory over Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows in 2022 – to mount a spirited fightback. The Australian saved two set points, forced a tiebreak, and levelled the contest with aggressive baseline hitting.
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Gauff’s nerves showed in the decider as she double-faulted twice while serving for the match at 5-4, but the American regained her composure to secure victory with a backhand winner, greeted by a roar from the home crowd.
“There were chances for it to be a straight-sets win, but it was tough,” Gauff admitted. “I felt she was getting so many balls back. It wasn’t the best, but I’m happy to be through to the next round.” She will next face Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic in what promises to be another stern challenge.
If Gauff’s passage was a grind, Osaka’s was pure theatre. The two-time US Open champion strode into Louis Armstrong Stadium in a crystal-encrusted red Nike outfit and rose-adorned ponytail, later swapped for practicality, before dispatching Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4 in 83 minutes.
“This is my night outfit,” Osaka said with a smile. “Hopefully I’ll wear my day outfit next time.”
Beyond the glamour – including a quirky bag charm she introduced as “Billie Jean Bling” – the 27-year-old mother produced a performance of grit and precision. She cracked seven aces, saved all break points in the second set, and converted all six of her opportunities on Minnen’s serve.
“I could have had a better attitude – I was stressed,” Osaka admitted. “But I’m glad I was able to win. It feels really good to have had some confidence-building matches recently, especially on a surface that I love.”
Minnen, ranked 106th, was undone by 30 unforced errors against Osaka’s baseline aggression, as the Japanese continued her quest to become the first mother since Kim Clijsters in 2011 to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Next up for Osaka is fellow American Hailey Baptiste. “She’s able to do basically anything,” Osaka said. “All I can do is try my best and see what the result is.”
– Ends