Coco Gauff moved to the second round of the 2026 US Open on Monday, beating Zeynep Sönmez 6-3, 6-4 in 80 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The No. 4 seed needed just one break in each set to close out a match she dominated from baseline to net.
But Sönmez made her work for a couple of games.
Coco Gauff Out-Powers Zeynep Sönmez in US Open 2026 Round 1
After Gauff broke to go up 4-2 in the opener, the Turkish player punched back in the second, leveling things at 2-2 before Gauff pulled away for good.
"She started coming to the net and playing great tennis. I know that I can raise my level if I need to," Gauff said of her mid-match strategy.
"I like to challenge my opponent, to let them keep up that level the whole match. If they do, I clap my hands and walk off court with my head held high, but I was able to settle down.
The 2023 champion enters this the week riding a Cincinnati title and Wimbledon semifinal run. Beyond a second US Open trophy, she's also chasing the No. 1 ranking currently held by Aryna Sabalenka.
Up next is the winner of Paula Badosa vs. Daria Kasatkina.
