US Open: Coco Gauff Starts Strong, Defeats Sonmez In First Round

Former champion Coco Gauff successfully launched her US Open campaign with a dominant first-round victory over Zeynep Sonmez.

IMAGE: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates victory over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez in the first round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York, on Tuesday. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters

Key Points

Coco Gauff commenced her US Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zeynep Sonmez.
Gauff is seeking her second US Open crown after her 2023 triumph and the recent Cincinnati Open win.
The American secured a comfortable win at Arthur Ashe Stadium, demonstrating her ability to raise her level when challenged.
Sonmez showed flashes of talent, briefly unsettling Gauff in the second set before the American reasserted control.
Gauff will now face either Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa in the second round of the tournament.

Coco Gauff and Zeynep Sonmez embrace at the net after the match.

IMAGE: Coco Gauff and Zeynep Sonmez embrace at the net after the match. Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters

Home favourite Coco Gauff began her campaign for a second US Open crown with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old arrived fresh from winning the Cincinnati Open and is chasing a third Grand Slam title after her breakthrough triumph in New York in 2023.

"I wasn't that nervous today, which was a shock," Gauff said on court. "When I walked back out on this court, I was trying to hold back a smile."

Gauff's Dominant First Set Performance

Zeynep Sonmez makes a backhand return against Coco Gauff.

IMAGE: Zeynep Sonmez makes a backhand return to Coco Gauff. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Gauff was in control under the lights and closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking the only break of serve in the first set and wrapping up the opener in just over half an hour.

World number 53 Sonmez showed flashes of her talent and produced a string of impressive winners, including a blistering backhand that drew applause from the crowd and even Gauff herself.

Sonmez Challenges, Gauff Reasserts Control

Coco Gauff reacts after effecting a break against Zeynep Sonmez.

IMAGE: Coco Gauff reacts after effecting a break. Photograph: Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Sonmez, 24, looked to have settled in the second set, breaking back immediately after Gauff opened with a break and began testing the American with deep groundstrokes and forays to the net.

Gauff came under pressure trailing 3-2 but fought off three break points to hold and level the set before breaking Sonmez to reassert control at 4-3.

The American pulled away from there as Sonmez struggled to sustain the level that had briefly unsettled the fourth seed, leaving Gauff to close out another comfortable win.

"I know that I can raise my level if I need to," Gauff said.

"I like to challenge my opponent to keep up that level the whole match, and if they do, I clap my hands and walk off the court with my head held high. But I was able to settle down."

Gauff, who has reached the fourth round or better at the US Open in each of the last four years, will face either Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa in the second round.