US Open: Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva Storm Into Second Round With Straight-Set Wins

Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva began their US Open campaigns in impressive fashion on Tuesday, with both top seeds advancing comfortably in straight sets.

Fourth-seeded Gauff defeated Türkiye’s Zeynep Sönmez 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, while fifth seed Andreeva, the reigning French Open champion, beat Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-2 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Andreeva quickly established control with her powerful groundstrokes, breaking for a 3-2 lead in the opening set before wrapping it up in just 31 minutes. She continued to dictate play in the second set, securing another early break and completing a dominant victory.

The 19-year-old had also beaten Tjen in Cincinnati last month and said she was determined to play more aggressively in their second meeting. “I was trying to go for my shots, and after everything I just feel like today it was a better match,” Andreeva said.

Andreeva has enjoyed a breakthrough season, becoming the third-youngest women’s Grand Slam champion this century when she won the French Open. She said she is trying to put that achievement behind her as she focuses on the US Open.

“Okay, I won. That was great, but now it’s another tournament I want to win,” she said.

Andreeva will face Germany’s Eva Lys in the second round as she looks to reach the second week at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

Gauff Continues Strong Run

Gauff entered the US Open full of confidence after winning the Cincinnati Open, where she defeated world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final.

The American made a strong start against Sönmez, using a powerful serve and aggressive baseline play to control the match. Although Sönmez levelled the second set at 2-2, Gauff immediately responded with another break and closed out the match in 80 minutes.

The victory marked a welcome change from Gauff’s previous US Open opening rounds, having been pushed to three sets in the first round five times in her earlier appearances.

The 2023 champion will next meet either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina, whose first-round match was suspended because of rain.

Gauff’s strong start also keeps her hopes of winning a second US Open title — and making her first ascent to world No. 1 — alive.