Emotional Coco Gauff battles past Vekic despite serving struggles at US Open

Former US Open champion Coco Gauff fought through a flood of mid-match tears and persistent serving struggles to overcome unseeded Croatian Donna Vekic 7-6(5), 6-2 and reach the third round on Thursday. Still adapting to a remodelled serve under new coach and biomechanist Gavin MacMillan, Gauff endured a tense evening under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.


Both players wrestled with rhythm in the opening set, trading double faults before Gauff steadied in the tiebreak. The 21-year-old American was broken four times in the opening set and appeared distraught as she battled to find her rhythm. The 2023 champion had earlier broken down in tears after losing serve but regrouped while Vekic received treatment for a right arm issue.



“Honestly, today was a tough match for me. But I'm just happy with how I was able to manage. It’s been a rough couple weeks,” Gauff said during her on-court interview.

"I’m doing this for myself, but I’m also doing it for you. No no matter how tough it gets inside, you can do it,” Gauff added as there were shouts of encouragement from spectators.


With composure restored, Gauff capitalised on her opponent’s mounting errors, breaking twice in the second set to seal victory and avenge her third-round loss to Vekic at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She next faces 28th seed Magdalena Frech of Poland.