Current:Home > Contact-usCoco Gauff comes back to win at US Open after arguing that her foe was too slow between points-InfoLens
Coco Gauff comes back to win at US Open after arguing that her foe was too slow between points
View Date:2024-12-23 15:59:22
NEW YORK (AP) — Coco Gauff already was down a set on Day 1 of the U.S. Open when she found herself locked in a marathon of a 30-point, 25-plus-minute game to begin the second set. Sure, there still was plenty of time to come back Monday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, but this felt pivotal.
The 19-year-old from Florida had lost her past two Grand Slam matches — including a first-round exit at Wimbledon last month — and did not want to leave quietly or quickly this time. With thousands of partisan fans getting rowdier by the moment, the sixth-seeded Gauff finally converted on her eighth break point of that game, and wound up beating German qualifier Laura Siegemund 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and reaching the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Once she had the lead, the biggest frustration for Gauff was the way Siegemund would make her wait to play the next point. Siegemund repeatedly took her sweet time and, early in the last set, was warned by chair umpire Marijana Veljovic. Brad Gilbert, who is one of two coaches working with Gauff lately, shook his head at how long it took Veljovic to intervene, and his reaction drew a smile from Gauff.
FIRST FANS: Barack and Michelle Obama saw Coco Gauff's US Open win and met with her afterward
But serving while ahead 3-0 in that set, Gauff had enough and went over to make her case.
“She’s never ready when I’m serving. ... How is this fair?” Gauff told Veljovic. “I’m going a normal speed. Ask any ref here. ... I’ve been quiet the whole match. ... Now it’s ridiculous. I don’t care what she’s doing on her serve, but (on) my serve, she has to be ready.”
Gauff wound up dropping that game — but then not another. Later, Siegemund was docked a point for delaying, which put Gauff up 5-1. That prompted Siegemund to argue her case to Veljovic — “I can’t go to the towel anymore?” — and drew some jeers from the crowd.
There was another hiccup for Gauff toward the finish: She served for the match at 5-2 in the third, but double-faulted three times. Those were her only double-faults of the entire 2-hour, 51-minute match.
In the end, she held on, and it was Gauff’s 12th victory in 13 matches since the disappointing showing at the All England Club. This recent run includes the two biggest titles of the American’s career and a win over No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Gauff and Swiatek could meet in the quarterfinals next week.
DOMINIC THIEM: The sadness of watching your favorite athletes deteriorate
Iga Swiatek wins easily, Maria Sakkari bothered by marijuana odor
Looking ready for a serious defense of her U.S. Open title, Swiatek won Monday’s first match in Ashe — she needed all of 58 minutes to dismiss Rebecca Peterson 6-0, 6-1 — but otherwise, the going was rough for some of the highest-seeded players.
The No. 4 man, Holger Rune, was bounced 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 by the 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena; the No. 8 woman, Maria Sakkari, lost 6-4, 6-4 to the 71st-ranked Rebeka Masarova.
Sakkari said afterward she was bothered by the odor of marijuana in the air.
“The smell. Oh, my gosh,” Sakkari told the chair umpire in the first set. “It was weed.”
Rune had his own complaint — before the match.
The two-time major quarterfinalist, a 20-year-old considered part of the next generation of stars in men’s tennis, was not thrilled about being sent out to compete on Court 5, posting a map of the tournament grounds to help his supporters find the place.
“I just didn’t expect to play on that court,” Rune said afterward. “That’s obviously disappointing, but not going to blame the court on the loss.”
Some seeded players already eliminated
Other seeded players exiting included the No. 16 woman, Veronika Kudermetova, who lost to American Bernarda Pera 7-5, 6-4, and the No. 25 man, Alexander Bublik, eliminated by 2020 U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
Thiem, who’s had a series of injuries, hadn’t won a Grand Slam match since the 2021 Australian Open, dropping seven in a row until Monday.
“It’s a pretty special victory. ... Especially here at the U.S. Open,” Thiem said, “with all the past and all the memories I have here.”
veryGood! (56)
Related
- NATO’s Rutte calls for more Western support for Ukraine, warns of Russian alliances
- Pakistan election officials reject former prime minister Khan’s candidacy in parliamentary election
- How to watch or stream the 2024 Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day
- South Korea’s capital records heaviest single-day snowfall in December for 40 years
- Jury awards Abu Ghraib detainees $42 million, holds contractor responsible
- Nick Carter Shares Family Video in First Post Since Sister Bobbie Jean Carter's Death
- Meet the New York woman bringing Iranian-inspired beer to the United States
- Oregon newspaper forced to lay off entire staff after discovering that an employee embezzled funds
- Quincy Jones' Cause of Death Revealed
- See Martha Stewart's 'thirst trap' selfie showcasing luxurious nightgown
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Mattel's 'Wicked' mistake
- Man wielding 2 knives shot and wounded by Baltimore police, officials say
- Your New Year's Eve TV Guide 2024: How to Watch 'Rockin Eve,' 'Nashville's Big Bash,' more
- Massive waves threaten California, coast braces for another round after Ventura rogue wave
- These Michael Kors’ Designer Handbags Are All Under $150 With an Extra 22% off for Singles’ Day
- Your 2024 guide to NYC New Year's Eve ball drop countdown in Times Square
- Resolved: To keep making New Year's resolutions
- Michigan giving 'big middle finger' to its critics with College Football Playoff run
Recommendation
-
Vegas Sphere reports revenue decline despite hosting UFC 306, Eagles residency
-
Awkward Exes, Runny Noses and Tuna Sandwiches: Here's What Happens When Onscreen Kisses Go Really Wrong
-
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Embrace in New Photo Amid Blossoming Romance
-
Consulting firm McKinsey agrees to $78 million settlement with insurers over opioids
-
Kim Kardashian Says She's Raising Her and Kanye West's 4 Kids By Herself
-
Bronny James scores career-high 15 points, including highlight-reel dunk, in USC loss
-
Lori Vallow Daybell guilty of unimaginable crimes
-
Watch what you say! Better choices for common phrases parents shout during kids games