Tag: GrandSlam

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to the tournament on Monday, cruising to a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Varvara Gracheva in the first round. The 18-year-old American, seeded third, fired 10 aces and needed just 66 minutes to dispatch her 66th-ranked opponent.

Gauff’s victory marked a strong start to her title defense, despite a challenging season that saw her fall in the third round at Toronto and crash out of her first match as the defending champion in Cincinnati. “It is definitely a lot of pressure this tournament but I’m just enjoying it,” said Gauff, who is seeded behind world number one Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. “Last year was incredible, so I’m just bringing those vibes and whatever happens, happens.”

Meanwhile, four-time champion Novak Djokovic, seeded second behind world number one Jannik Sinner, is vying to become the first man to repeat in New York since Roger Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008. “Hopefully that changes this year,” said Djokovic, who highlighted an otherwise disappointing season with an emotional gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Djokovic, who has been hindered by a knee injury in 2024, is facing the prospect of a year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017. The 37-year-old, whose 24 Grand Slam titles are tied with Aussie legend Margaret Court for most all-time, says he still gets pumped up for the “pillars of our sport.”

In other first-round action, American Ben Shelton upset 2020 champion Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Thiem’s defeat marked an end to his Grand Slam career, as the Austrian announced he would retire at the end of 2024 after several injury-plagued seasons.

Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany needed four sets to get past lucky loser Maximilian Marter 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2. Sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 and eighth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway advanced with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 win over China’s Bu Yunchaokete.

Wimbledon women’s champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded eighth, eased into the second round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory over Spanish qualifier Marina Bassols Ribera. Olympic women’s singles gold medallist Zheng Qinwen of China, seeded seventh, rallied from a set down to beat Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champions, will begin their title defenses on Monday, with Djokovic aiming to add to his record-breaking Grand Slam tally and Gauff seeking to regain her winning form.

Djokovic, seeded second behind world number one Jannik Sinner, is determined to become the first man to repeat as US Open champion since Roger Federer’s five-year reign from 2004-2008. Despite an injury-plagued year, the 37-year-old Serbian remains motivated by the “pillars of our sport” and is eager to perform under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Gauff, who has struggled for consistency since her maiden Grand Slam victory last year, will face Varvara Gracheva of France in the afternoon session. The American teenager is hoping to rediscover her winning ways and challenge for another major title.

Other notable matches on Monday include:

* Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, faces Ben Shelton, who is aiming to build on his impressive semi-final run last year.
* Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, two of the top American men, will also be in action, hoping to end the US Open title drought for their country.
* Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, takes on Priscilla Hon, while Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova faces Marina Bassols Ribera.

In early action, Donna Vekic of Croatia advanced to the second round, while Maria Sakkari of Greece retired with an apparent shoulder injury.