U.S. Open: Osaka, Stephens win, Coco Gauff survives first round scare

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff

Teenager Coco Gauff came from one set down to book a second round spot at the U.S. Open on Monday.

She next meets former champion Sloane Stephens who beat fellow American Madison Keys in two sets, with the last set being decided in a tie break.

Gauff defeated Polish player Magda Linette 5-7 6-3 6-4.

Defending Champion, Naomi Osaka also won comfortably in two sets.

The Japanese star overcame a slow start to beat Czech Marie Bouzkova 6-4 6-1 and get her U.S. Open title defence under way in front of a roaring capacity crowd.

Unseeded Bouzkova held her own through much of the first set but failed to convert on four break point opportunities against the Japanese four-time Grand Slam winner.

Related News

Osaka, who fired 21 winners but committed 13 unforced errors in the first set, broke Bouzkova’s serve at 5-4 to win the opener and never looked back, winning the first five games of the second despite struggling with her first serve.

The world number three closed out the match with a forehand winner, offering a smile and a wave to the stands that were empty a year ago.

“I’m the type of player that wants to entertain a crowd as well. I think last year I was just really business,” she said.

“I wouldn’t try to hit a crazy serve or anything like that. Of course, I’m only one match in here and I don’t think I’ve gotten that distracted yet.”

Osaka’s only previous meeting with Bouzkova came at the first round of the Australian Open in 2020, where she also won in straight sets.

“I thought today’s match was really tough. I haven’t played her in a while. I guess just to be able to be the first night match and to win in two sets was really important to me,” she told reporters.

Load more