US Open: Gauff Overcomes Tomljanovic Test, Osaka Advances Smoothly to Second Round

US Open: Gauff Edges Tomljanovic in Thriller, Osaka Advances Smoothly.

Coco Gauff survived a major scare in her US Open opener on Tuesday, edging Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4, 6-7(2), 7-5 in a late-night battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, cruised past Belgium’s Greet Minnen 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second round.

Defending champion Gauff, seeded third, looked in control after taking the first set and leading 4-2 in the second, but Tomljanovic fought back to level the contest. In a tense decider, Gauff twice double-faulted when serving for the match at 5-4 before regaining composure to seal victory with a backhand winner. She will next face Olympic silver medallist Donna Vekic.

“There were chances for it to be a straight-sets win, but it was tough,” Gauff admitted. “It wasn’t the best, but I’m happy to be through.”

Osaka, the two-time US Open champion, looked assured on her return to New York. She fired seven aces, converted six break points, and wrapped up her win in 83 minutes. The Japanese star, who became a mother last year, is bidding to be the first since Kim Clijsters in 2011 to win a Grand Slam singles title.

“I was stressed, but I’m glad I was able to win,” Osaka said. “It feels really good to get confidence-building matches on a surface I love.” She next meets American Hailey Baptiste.