Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva opened their US Open campaigns with convincing straight-set victories on Tuesday, as the fourth and fifth seeds respectively advanced to the second round.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, defeated Türkiye’s Zeynep Sönmez 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, while reigning French Open champion Andreeva cruised past Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2 under the roof at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Andreeva, 19, controlled the match from the baseline with her powerful groundstrokes and precise shot-making. She secured an early break in the opening set and never allowed Tjen to settle, wrapping up the first set in 31 minutes.
The teenager carried the momentum into the second set, breaking early before closing out the match comfortably. Andreeva had also defeated Tjen in Cincinnati last month and said she was more aggressive in their second meeting.
“I was trying to go for my shots, and after everything I just feel like today it was a better match,” Andreeva said.
The French Open champion is enjoying a breakthrough season and became the third-youngest women’s Grand Slam singles champion of the 21st century when she won at Roland Garros. She said she is trying not to dwell on that achievement as she targets another deep run in New York.
“I’m just trying to move on in a way, like, ‘Okay, I won. That was great,’ but now it’s another tournament I want to win,” she said.
Andreeva will meet Germany’s Eva Lys in the second round as she looks to reach the second week of the US Open for the first time.
Gauff Maintains Winning Momentum
Gauff arrived in New York in confident mood after claiming the Cincinnati Open title, where she defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final.
The American made a strong start against Sönmez, opening with an ace and using her powerful serve and aggressive baseline game to dictate the contest. Several of her serves topped 120 mph as she established control.
Sönmez briefly fought back in the second set, levelling at 2-2, but Gauff immediately regained the initiative. A double fault from the Turkish player gave Gauff another break, and the fourth seed held firm to complete the victory in 80 minutes.
The straightforward win was particularly significant given Gauff’s previous struggles in US Open opening rounds. She had been pushed to three sets in the first round at five of her previous appearances in New York.
This time, there was little drama as the 21-year-old booked her place in the second round.
Gauff will next face either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina, whose opening-round match was suspended because of rain. With another US Open title within reach, Gauff also remains in contention for a first career spell at world No. 1.
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