the WTA number three Cori Coco Gauff defeated qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic by 2-1 (6:4, 6:7, 7:5) to advance to the second round of the US Open 2025. The American tennis talent had to work hard, but she managed to eliminate her Australian opponent.
In her first match since changing her coaching staff last week, Coco Gauff looked ready to win after leading by a set and a break. Ajla Tomljanovic, who ended Serena Williams’ career on Arthur Ashe three years ago, fought back to equalize the score at 4:4.
Coco Gauff served to win the match at 6:5 in the second set, but the Australian showed renewed determination and forced it to a tiebreak, which she eventually won.
In the decisive third set, the American took the lead with an early break and served for a second time to win at 5:4, but Ajla Tomljanovic was not yet ready to give up. She fought back to equalize the set at 5:5 before Coco Gauff won the final two games to close out the three-hour match at 2-1 (6:4, 6:7, 7:5).
The American, who won the title here in 2023, admitted in her post-match on-court interview that the past week had been mentally exhausting for her. She will next face Croatian tennis player Donna Vekic.
