Coco Gauff Dominates First Round at U.S. Open

Defending champion Coco Gauff defeated Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open. Overcoming early nerves, Gauff returned to form, breaking Gracheva's serve multiple times and hitting 10 aces. She is set to face Tatjana Maria in the next round, bringing a new mentality to Flushing Meadows.

Defending champion Coco Gauff overcame early nerves to cruise past France's Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open on Monday. Gauff was as popular as ever with her home crowd, sending 10 aces over on Arthur Ashe Stadium and showing her determination to put a string of frustrating performances behind her in New York.

"I was just trying to enjoy the match," said Gauff, who set up a meeting with German Tatjana Maria in the next round. "I think today was the best tennis I've played in a while." Gauff suffered early exits at tune-up tournaments in Cincinnati and Toronto, and there were early signs of trouble as she had five double faults in the first set.

She had to fend off three break points to hold her serve in the second game, but the world number three found her footing from there, breaking her opponent's serve in the third and seventh games. Gracheva was never able to match Gauff's firepower, registering 25 unforced errors and just five winners as the American broke her on the fourth try in the opening game of the second set.

Gauff ploughed through the second set in 27 minutes, upping her level across the board as she produced only five unforced errors. She exclaimed in frustration as she hit the ball out of bounds to give her opponent a break point chance in the final game, but she got back on track with a pair of aces before her opponent handed her the match with an error on the final point.

The 20-year-old pumped her fist with satisfaction after clinching the win and reminded fans that she was bringing a new mentality to Flushing Meadows, a year after winning her maiden major. "It was definitely a lot of pressure at this tournament, but I'm just enjoying it," said Gauff. "Whatever happens, happens."

(With inputs from agencies.)