Gauff begins U.S. Open title defense on Arthur Ashe stadium
NEW YORK: American tennis star Coco Gauff kicks off her U.S. Open title defense on Monday, headlining a wide-open women’s field that includes world number one Iga Swiatek and last year’s runner-up, Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff, who clinched her maiden major title at last year’s U.S. Open, will face France’s Varvara Gracheva in the opening round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 20-year-old Gauff aims to put behind her a series of frustrating performances, including early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati, as she looks to recapture the magic that led to her triumph last year. Reflecting on her recent setbacks, Gauff expressed optimism, saying, “I feel like it was a blessing in disguise I lost so early (in Cincinnati), because I was able to actually train, which I hadn’t been able to. I do my best results when I come off a training block.”
With a solid week and a half of training under her belt, Gauff is hopeful for a deep run in New York. However, she could face a formidable challenge in the semi-finals from Sabalenka, who is eager to finally clinch the title after coming close in previous years.
