US Open: Coco Gauff tops Paula Bados in thrilling second-round thriller

Coco Gauff survived a thrilling battle with Paula Bados to reach the third round of the US Open, beating the Spaniard 6-4, 7-6(5) under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights. The fourth seed was pushed but found the composure needed to close out the hard-fought victory.

The opening set was tight, with neither player able to create much separation in the early stages. Bados’ powerful groundstrokes and accurate placement repeatedly troubled Gauff, but the American matched her intensity and kept finding ways to stay in the rally.

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The breakthrough finally came at 5-3 when Badosa sent a forehand wide. Gauff then held serve after 48 minutes to take the opening set, but the match was far from over as Badosa continued to threaten from the baseline.

SECOND SET OFFERED

Gauff struck early in the second set to break Badosa after the Spaniard dropped a soft shot at the net. She appeared to be gaining control, but Badosa immediately raised her level and refused to let the fourth seed pull away.

At 4-4, Badosa faced a triple break but fought back with back-to-back forehand winners before finally saving the game. Gauff then had another chance at 5-5, but Badosa again produced clutch tennis to hold.

The drama intensified when, at 6-5, Badosa found the net on Gauff’s drop shot attempt. Serving for the set, however, Badosa couldn’t finish the job as Gauff fought back to force a tiebreak.

GAUFF HOLDS HER NERVES

Badosa continued to attack in the tiebreak, but Gauff was able to stay ahead when the key points came. She moved to 3-1 before Badosa responded with a superb drop shot and forehand winner to level the match.

The American eventually overcame the breaker 7-5 to complete the victory and advance to the third round. Badosa’s resistance ensured Gauff had to earn every inch of victory, with both players producing an entertaining contest under the Arthur Ashe lights.

Gauff’s win keeps her US Open campaign alive as she looks to build on her previous success at Flushing Meadows. The 2023 champion will now prepare for her third-round opponent after another tough test in New York.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

04 Sep 2026 07:14 IST