Coco Gauff Advances in US Open Title Defense

Coco Gauff successfully began her US Open title defense with a dominant 6-2, 6-0 victory over Varvara Gracheva, marking her 15th singles win at Flushing Meadows and showcasing her readiness to reclaim the championship. Despite a challenging summer leading into the tournament, Gauff emphasized her focus on personal expectations rather than external pressure. In the men's draw, Novak Djokovic continued his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title, advancing after Laslo Djere retired due to injury while trailing in their match. Djokovic's victory also marked his 90th win at the US Open, a record for any male player in Grand Slam history. Other American players performed well, with Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton also moving to the next round, further boosting hopes for a strong showing from the home contingent. The tournament has seen notable early exits, including former champion Sloane Stephens, underscoring the competitive nature of this year's event.