Tearful Gauff thanks Biles after tough US Open win

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

In the second round of the US Open, Croatia’s Donna Vekic defeated her by a tearful Coco Gauff, who thanked legendary gymnast Simone Biles for bringing a “bit of calm.”

Gauff, age 21, cried as more double faults followed, before coming home with a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Third seed Gauff struggled in a first set that was agonizing to watch, including seven-time Olympic gold medalist Biles, who was present in the New York crowd.

Gauff recalled Biles’ assistance in getting the crowd to cheer him on.

I thought, “I can hit the ball into this court if she can go on a six-inch beam with all the pressure in the world.”

It a little bit of calmed me down, she said. She inspires me, and her presence has won me over.

In a bid to stop the flow of double faults, Gauff made a bold move to reshuffle her team days before her grand prix.

After striking 16 double errors against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in Cincinnati, Gauff made what she called a “sudden decision.”

Matt Daly, a grip specialist, brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to help Aryna Sabalenka defeat her serving yips, but the American player paid the price.

After Vekic broke back for 4-4, Gauff started sobbing underneath a towel during the changeover.

Although she eventually made it through a messy opener with eight breakable serves, Gauff felt the need to compose herself in a bathroom break before the second. She hit eight in the first set.

One of Gauff’s greatest strengths is her ability to overcome adversity, and she prevented the double errors that led to a straight-set victory.

Gauff, who had a clean start to her game, broke once more during an on-court interview.

She told ESPN, “I’ve never felt that way on the court before.”

You don’t feel comfortable when you learn something, and I think that has an impact on everything else.

The serving could be improved, but it was better than it was in my previous match.

“I need to keep in mind that there are many positive things to do.”

Iga Swiatek, the reigning champion at Wimbledon, acknowledged that she “made some mistakes” when Suzan Lamens, the world’s 66th seed, lost in three sets.

Swiatek, the second seed, fought her Dutch foe in the first set and was on the verge of a dominant first-round victory.

The 24-year-old was twice served up in the second set, but her frustration increased as her level decreased significantly, giving Lamens a chance to win the match once more.

In the decider, The Pole moved a double break clear and triumphed 6-1, 4:45, 6-4 in Arthur Ashe Stadium in two hours, six minutes.

After defeating Kazakhstan’ Yulia Putintseva 6-1 7-5, Swiatek will face the 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya in the third round.

Six-time major champion Swiatek said: “It wasn’t an easy match and I made some mistakes.” After the game, Swiatek addressed the court. I’m pleased that I could be more proactive in the end.

“It impacted on me and whether or not I was going to make mistakes.”

Naomi Osaka, the two-time US Open champion, defeated Hailey Baptiste 6-3 6-1, giving the impression that she was “stressed the entire time.”

The difference was between Osaka’s quality and Baptiste’s struggles on serve, which the American had nine double faults and had only won 19% of her second serves, but a break apiece early in the first set made things interesting.

Osaka, who won a three-set clash with the pair at the Miami Open in March, recalls that I played her (Baptiste) last in Miami, which was probably the most challenging match of the year.

“I was trying to concentrate so that I didn’t give her any free points.”

Since returning from maternity leave last year, the 27-year-old has struggled with consistency and fitness, but she kept up her good form earlier this month when she reached the Canadian Open final.