Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev and Mirra Andreeva advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday, but their progress came in sharply contrasting fashion, with Gauff and Zverev forced to overcome significant challenges while Andreeva swept aside her opponent.
The night also marked the end of Gael Monfils’ Grand Slam career after the 20-year-old American Learner Tien defeated the French veteran in straight sets.
Gauff, the fourth seed and 2023 champion, was given a stern examination by Spain’s Paula Badosa before eventually prevailing 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The American will face another Spaniard, Cristina Bucsa, in the third round as she continues her bid for a third Grand Slam title.
Playing on a sweltering New York evening in front of a partisan crowd, Gauff was forced to dig deep against Badosa, who entered the contest with a winning record against her despite being ranked No. 87 in the world.
Badosa had won their last two meetings, including a straight-sets victory in the first round of last year’s Australian Open and another win during the grass-court season in Berlin.
She threatened to seize control early, forcing Gauff to save two break points. But the American responded with the decisive break, helped by a costly forehand error from Badosa that appeared to affect the Spaniard's confidence and execution.
Gauff secured the opening set and then found herself in another closely fought battle in the second.
Both players exchanged breaks twice before the set went to a tie-break. Gauff eventually sealed victory when Badosa sent a ball long, prompting a loud celebration from the American and her supporters.
“Paula is a tough player. I feel like I had the lead but there wasn't too much I did wrong. She stepped it up. I'm really happy to be through today,” Gauff said on court.
“I saw the draw. Definitely not someone you want to play in the 2nd round. Former number two in the world. Great competitor. I think I need matches like this to build my confidence. I'm happy with how I managed today. There was a bit of nerves.”
Andreeva cruises into third round
French Open champion Mirra Andreeva had a considerably easier route into the next round, dismantling Germany’s Eva Lys 6-0, 6-2.
The 19-year-old Russian produced a dominant display to set up a third-round meeting with Czech player Nikola Bartunkova.
Andreeva’s emphatic victory contrasted sharply with the battles endured by several of the tournament’s leading names on another demanding day in New York.
World No. 2 Elena Rybakina also advanced comfortably, defeating Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4 in just over an hour.
The victory set up a third-round clash with Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Rybakina had arrived at the US Open with questions surrounding her fitness after retiring from the Cincinnati Open during the build-up to the tournament.
The Kazakh said she had endured a difficult preparation but was pleased to have made it to New York.
“It's true it wasn't perfect preparation at all. I was a bit upset watching everybody practice preparing for the tournament and I was just doing all possible recovery and gym. I'm super happy to be here,” she said.
Zverev survives another five-set epic
Alexander Zverev endured another marathon battle to avoid an early exit, overcoming France’s Quentin Halys in a match that lasted more than four and a half hours.
The top seed eventually won 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 6-3 after twice surrendering a set lead at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match ended at 2:15am local time, with Zverev earning a third-round meeting with Alejandro Tabilo.
The victory came after Zverev had also been pushed to five sets by Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round.
His back-to-back five-set victories made him the first top-seeded man in the Open Era, which began in 1968, to open a Grand Slam with two consecutive five-set matches.
Despite advancing, Zverev was brutally honest about the quality of his performance.
“The performance was quite s***, to be honest,” Zverev said during his on-court interview. “But, I won, and that's the most important thing. I've been here for another four and a half hours.”
The French Open champion said his physical preparation had helped him survive another demanding encounter.
“That's what I go to the gym for, that's what I go to the track for and that's what I train for, to be able to come out on top in these difficult moments. When you're not playing your best, when you're not hitting winners left and right, just getting through these matches.”
He added: “I hope at some point I'll start playing better but, for now, I'm happy to be in the third round.”
Tien ends Monfils’ Grand Slam journey
While several of the tournament's leading contenders continued their campaigns, the night brought an emotional farewell for one of tennis' most entertaining figures.
Young American Learner Tien ended Gael Monfils’ Grand Slam career with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over the French veteran.
Monfils, who turns 40 this year, had rolled back the years in the first round by defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo on his birthday to prolong his final appearance at the US Open.
But the wildcard’s run came to an end under the lights against an opponent half his age.
In muggy conditions, Monfils appeared increasingly fatigued towards the end of the opening set and repeatedly sought encouragement from the New York crowd.
Tien, the 14th seed, remained composed and gradually tightened his grip on the contest.
The 20-year-old continued to absorb Monfils’ bursts of aggression in the second set while dictating play from the baseline, taking another step towards the third round.
Monfils mounted one final, emotion-fuelled charge in the third set, producing flashes of the trademark athleticism and spectacular shot-making that have defined his career.
But Tien refused to be drawn into the Frenchman’s rhythm and eventually completed the straight-sets victory.
Tien will face Czech player Jakub Mensik in the third round.
After the final point, Tien and Monfils warmly embraced at the net, bringing an emotional conclusion to the French showman’s Grand Slam career.
The result marked the passing of the torch from one generation to another, with Tien advancing deeper into the tournament while Monfils prepares to bring his decorated professional career to a close at the end of the year.