Coco Gauff advanced to the third round of the 2026 US Open on Thursday, edging past Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6(5) inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The No. 4 seed had dropped her previous two meetings with the Spaniard, but she reversed course when it counted in Queens.
Coco Gauff Outlasts Paula Badosoa in Tight 2-Set Battle
Gauff broke serve midway through the opening set and held firm from there.
The second set was tighter, though, with both players trading breaks twice before a tiebreak decided it. Badosa, ranked 87th after once climbing to No. 2 in the world, pressed the two-time Grand Slam champion to the final point before sending a ball long.
"Paula is a tough player. She stepped it up," Gauff said afterward. "I think I need matches like this to build my confidence."
Gauff's Next Test at the 2026 US Open
Gauff still has work to do from the baseline, landing just 50% of her first serves and hitting five double faults to Badosa's six. But she won 57% of her second serve points, proving the changes she's made to that part of her game last year are finally paying off.
Gauff now faces Cristina Bucsa in the tournament's third round.
A deep run at the 2026 US Open could put her in position for the No. 1 WTA ranking if No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina exits before the semifinals.
