New York, NY – Coco Gauff secured a hard-fought victory over Donna Vekić on Friday, advancing to the third round of the 2025 U.S. Open. The 21-year-old American star overcame a challenging first set, ultimately winning 7(7)-6(5), 6-2.
The match began with Vekić taking a 2-0 lead, putting significant pressure on Gauff. The young American responded fiercely, battling back to level the set at 4-4. However, Vekić broke Gauff on a 4-4 tiebreak, prompting a visibly emotional moment for the American who sat on the bench with a towel over her face.
Gauff rallied in the tiebreak, securing the first set win. The second set showcased a markedly different Gauff, with improved consistency and power. She dominated Vekić across all categories, claiming a decisive 6-2 victory.
Vekić, a seasoned competitor who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2024 and earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, is no stranger to high-level tennis. Gauff, meanwhile, is the No. 3 seed at the U.S. Open, following her recent victory at the 2025 French Open.
“Honestly, today was a tough match for me, but I’m just happy that I was able to manage,” Gauff stated after the match. “It’s been a rough couple weeks, but I’m just happy to be back on this court. You guys bring me so much joy.”
Following the win, Gauff admitted she “blacked out” at the end of the first set and took a brief break to reset, including splashing water on her face.
This victory marks Gauff’s second consecutive win in the tournament. She previously defeated Ajla Tomlijanović in three sets on Tuesday, overcoming service issues and a demanding second set.
Gauff has faced some recent struggles since her second Grand Slam title at the French Open in June, including a surprising loss at Wimbledon and subsequent defeats in the Round of 16 at the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.
Looking ahead, Gauff will face Poland’s Magdalena Fręch in the third round on Saturday.