Coco Gauff Beats Paula Badosa to Reach US Open Third Round

Coco Gauff reached the third round of the US Open on Thursday after defeating Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in just under two hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The American, chasing a repeat of her 2023 US Open title, will next face another Spanish opponent, Cristina Bucsa.

Gauff entered the match having lost five of her previous eight meetings with Badosa, but she produced a largely confident display in the evening session. The victory sends her through in straight sets after a contest that featured late pressure from Badosa in the second set before a deciding tie-break.

“I think I need matches like this to build my confidence,” Gauff said afterwards. “I’m happy how I managed today — there were a little bit of nerves. I knew she would raise her level. She’s capable of blasting winners and blasting return winners.”

Gauff takes control in the opening set

After a steady start, Gauff made the key move in the seventh game of the first set. Badosa attempted a risky drop shot, but sent it into the net to hand Gauff the break.

That break gave Gauff a 4-3 advantage, and she immediately strengthened her position with a love hold to move 5-3 ahead. She then closed out the set 6-4 with another solid service game, taking the early lead in the match.

The first-set finish established the pattern of Gauff using her service games to protect the advantage she had created. Badosa had been broken by an error on the drop shot in the seventh game, and Gauff did not allow the opening set to slip away once she moved in front.

For Gauff, the result also represented a notable outcome against an opponent who had held the edge in their previous meetings. Despite that head-to-head record, the 22-year-old did not let the latest encounter get away after earning the first-set break.

Second-set swings lead to tie-break

Gauff appeared ready to take further control early in the second set. She broke Badosa in the third game, with Badosa again coming undone while attempting a delicate drop volley that fell short.

Badosa responded, however, and broke back to level the set at 4-4. She then saved two break points to move ahead 5-4, putting the pressure back on Gauff as the set entered its closing stages.

Gauff held to make it 5-5, but the second set continued to shift. The players exchanged breaks of serve, leaving the match to be decided by a tie-break rather than a third set.

In the tie-break, Gauff secured the 7-5 margin needed to complete the straight-sets win. The final point came when Badosa sent a backhand long, ending the match after just under two hours.

Third-round meeting with Bucsa awaits

Gauff’s win puts her into the third round, where she will meet Cristina Bucsa. It will be another match against a Spanish player as Gauff continues her campaign at the tournament she won in 2023.

The Badosa match offered Gauff a testing two-set contest, particularly after the second-set break back and the run to the tie-break. She ultimately came through the key moments, taking the opener 6-4 and the tie-break 7-5 to avoid being taken to a deciding set.

With the victory, Gauff has advanced one more step in her attempt to repeat her 2023 US Open success. Her next challenge comes against Bucsa in the third round.