Gauff overcomes Badosa test to reach US Open third round

Coco Gauff conquered a historically troublesome opponent under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights on Thursday, Sept 3, 2026, defeating Spain's Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in just under two hours to advance to the US Open third round. Entering the match with five losses across their eight previous encounters, the 22-year-old American star faced an immediate psychological hurdle against a rival who historically neutralized her game. Yet on a sweltering evening in New York, Gauff leaned on newfound service comfort to close out a straight-sets victory, according to reporting by Yahoo Sports.

The triumph offered stark contrast to the turbulence of fellow contenders elsewhere in the draw, where veterans like Naomi Osaka required a locker-room reset to navigate three sets against Katerina Siniakova, and Madison Keys fought off five match points to survive Anna Bondar, as detailed by The Straits Times. For Gauff, avoiding a protracted physical battle proved vital.

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"Obviously, you know, I would prefer maybe not to play somebody I've lost to so many times second round. But I think today was a big confidence booster. And I think getting through in straight sets too makes a big difference. Yes, I was battle-tested, but I think it was a good battle where I wasn't out on the court for three hours."

Coco Gauff, American star, via Yahoo Sports

The opening set turned on tactical execution in pivotal moments. After a steady exchange of holds, Gauff broke Badosa in the seventh game when the Manhattan-born Spaniard missed a risky drop shot into the net. Gauff capitalized immediately, holding to love before sealing the set 6-4 with a rock-solid service hold in front of a partisan home crowd.

Badosa's execution on delicate drop shots continued to haunt her in the second set. In the third game, another short drop volley cost the 28-year-old a service break. Badosa mounted a gritty response, however, breaking Gauff back to level the set at 4-4 and holding off two break points to seize a 5-4 lead. Following a frantic exchange of breaks that forced a tiebreak, Gauff secured the match on her second match point when Badosa sent a backhand long.

Reflecting on her performance, Gauff noted how dramatically her physical and mental state has evolved since last season, when her game was in complete disarray. She pointed specifically to her serving confidence as the anchor that stabilized her through late-set pressure.

"I definitely feel more comfortable, especially on the serving end of things," Gauff said. "I mean, she broke me two times, one time serving for it. I wasn't too upset. I was, like, I don't think I could have served that much better. So I think that's the part of my game where I feel less pressure and I know I can get a big serve in when I need to."

Gauff advances to face another Spanish opponent, Cristina Bucsa, in the third round at Flushing Meadows.

Navigating Flushing Meadows Amid Contender Drama

According to reporting by The Straits Times, Coco Gauff's second-round progression unfolded against a backdrop of severe turbulence for several other prominent contenders in New York. While the 22-year-old American secured her straight-sets victory efficiently, compatriots and rivals alike endured grueling, multi-hour ordeals on adjacent courts. Two-time champion Naomi Osaka was forced into a locker-room reset before subduing Katerina Siniakova in three sets, and Madison Keys barely cheated defeat by erasing five match points to outlast Anna Bondar in a tiebreak.

• Coco Gauff defeated Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in just under two hours.
• Naomi Osaka overcame Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 following a locker-room break.
• Madison Keys erased five match points to defeat Anna Bondar 4-7, 6-4, 7-6 (10-5).
• Iga Swiatek dismissed Nadia Podoroska 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 11 minutes.

For Gauff, steering clear of such physical exhaustion proved crucial as she pursues a repeat of her triumph at Flushing Meadows. According to Yahoo Sports and Reuters, the home favorite acknowledged that avoiding a protracted three-hour marathon was vital for her tournament trajectory, noting that the hard-earned victory served as a major confidence booster after dropping five of her prior eight encounters against the Spaniard.

Attention now turns immediately toward the next step in New York. Gauff prepares for the next round where she will face another Spanish opponent, Cristina Bucsa.