Coco Gauff Holds Off Paula Badosa to Reach US Open Third Round

What happened

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n00F59dJfRc

Coco Gauff survived her first major test of the 2026 US Open, defeating Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in one hour and 59 minutes to move into the third round at Flushing Meadows. The fourth-ranked American had lost her previous two meetings with the former world number two, including a three-set defeat on the grass in Berlin earlier this season, but she reversed that trend on Thursday night with a disciplined performance under pressure.

The opening set was decided by a single break as Gauff kept Badosa from dictating too many rallies. The second set was far less orderly. Gauff moved ahead by a break twice and served for the match at 6-5, but Badosa extended the contest when the American missed a volley into the net. In the tie-break, Gauff steadied herself and converted her second match point to finish the victory in straight sets.

Why it matters

Gauff's second serve was the clearest positive. BBC Sport reported that she won 57 percent of the points played behind it and limited herself to five double faults. That reliability mattered against a returner capable of pressuring short balls and was especially important after the second set became tight. The official US Open report also noted that Gauff won 71 percent of her first-serve points, giving her a solid base even though she landed only half of her first serves.

The win keeps alive Gauff's pursuit of a second championship in New York after her breakthrough title in 2023. She is also one of the players with a route to the world number one ranking during the tournament. According to BBC Sport, that route requires Gauff to win the title and Elena Rybakina to fall before the semifinals. Rybakina, the second seed, advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, so the ranking scenario remains demanding.

Tournament impact

Gauff will next play Spain's Cristina Bucsa, who reached the third round after an upset of 28th seed Sara Bejlek. Gauff won their previous meeting in straight sets at Indian Wells in 2023, but the Badosa match underlined why no round can be treated as routine. The women's draw has also held together unusually well: all 10 of the top seeds reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2009.

What to watch

The key question against Bucsa will be whether Gauff can pair the improved second serve with cleaner closing play. She created enough separation against Badosa to serve for the match, then needed a tie-break after letting the opportunity go. Her ability to reset immediately was encouraging, and another controlled serving performance would reduce the chance of a longer physical contest as the second week approaches.