Coco Gauff secured her spot in the third round of the 2026 US Open by defeating Paula Badosa in a closely contested second-round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night. The No. 4 seed overcame a challenging opponent with a 6-4, 7-6(5) victory, reversing the outcome of their previous two encounters.
Gauff Triumphs in a Nail-Biting Two-Set Duel
The opening set saw Gauff break Badosa’s serve midway and maintain her advantage to take the set 6-4. The second set unfolded with greater intensity, as both players exchanged service breaks twice, pushing the contest to a tiebreaker. Despite Badosa’s relentless effort—once ranked No. 2 in the world but currently positioned 87th—Gauff held her composure. The American two-time Grand Slam champion ultimately clinched the set 7-6(5) when Badosa’s final shot sailed long.
After the match, Gauff acknowledged the toughness of her opponent, stating, “Paula is a tough player. She stepped it up. I think I need matches like this to build my confidence.”