Coco Gauff has trait of the greats as she bid for emotional US Open victory

Coco Gauff has what it takes to end her major year on a high as her US Open campaign goes up a gear.

The 2023 champion eased through her first round match in New York on Tuesday night, seeing off Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 6-3 6-4 under the lights on Arthur Ashe

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Tougher tests lie ahead for the American who has her sights set not just on a third Grand Slam singles title, but on the world No.1 ranking.

Gauff is one of four players who could end the fortnight top of tree.

Current World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is defending the 2000 points that come with a major title having won at Flushing Meadows last year.

Elena Rybakina and Gauff’s former double partner Jessica Pegula are the other two names in the frame to end Sabalenka’s reign, which has lasted since October 2024.

Twelve months on from her US Open campaign ending in tears and a crumbling serve, Gauff has hit the Big Apple at the top of her game.

She was victorious in Cincinnati, beating Pegula in the final.

In her bid to emulate her emotional win in the Big Apple three years ago, a fourth round meeting with either Iva Jovic or rockstar Alexandra Eala looms in the Round of 16.

That title saw her finally claim her first major triumph, in the process becoming the youngest American to reach and win the US Open in more than 20 years.

In the latest episode of Off Court, former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski discussed Gauff’s chances.

“Coco Gauff looked very, very good in her opening round, the serve was there and the confidence was there because she won in Cincinnati,” he said.

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How did Coco Gauff fix her serve?

Gauff turned to biomechanics coach Gavin McMillan to help rebuild her serve and while the process has been far from straightforward the signs are good.

“Having spent time with Gavin he knows exactly what he has got to do, but you are changing habits that have been there for a lifetime,” the 1997 runner-up observed.

“It is not an easy solution, it doesn’t happen in three to six months – it has taken him about a year to get there and a lot of it is to do with the footwork.

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“Sometimes we have to take two steps back, and it seems that is what Coco has done and Cincinnati was huge for her – her first tournament win of the year, she couldn’t have timed it any better.

“Billie Jean King said something that was interesting, she said if you are technically sound, it is a lot easier to be mentally strong and that goes for being physically fit as well, you get less tired and less frustrated.

“She is going to become a complete player, she was willing to go through that process – as Sabalenka did too to get to the very top, taking ownership of it.

“Gavin has done a great job but Coco taking ownership and responsibility too.”

Gauff has had a mixed bag at the Grand Slams in 2026, reaching her first Wimbledon semifinal in the summer, after a disappointing defense of her French Open crown.

The 24-year-old was beaten in the third round in Paris and suffered a quarterfinal defeat at the Australian Open to start her major year, now she will hope to improve on her last two showings at her home major.

“Even with her B game she can still be at the very top because of her movement and her defensive skills, her physicality – but it shows her mentality and personality,” Rusedski explained.

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“The honesty she has, the way she speaks, she is great for the tour – we need to see her getting to semis, finals and wins week-in, week out and it looks like she is back on track to where she belongs.”

In each of the last two years, since her victory over Sabalenka to win the title, Gauff has fallen in the Round of 16.

Last year she was beaten in straight sets by an inspired Naomi Osaka, while fellow American Emma Navarro ended Gauff’s reign in 2024.

Next up for Gauff is a second round meeting with Paula Badosa, before Cristina Bucsa or Himeno Sakatsume await in the third round.

Mirra Andreeva or Amanda Anisimova are her most likely quarterfinal opponents.