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If anyone thought Coco Gauff was going to breeze through her US Open opener, Ajla Tomljanovic had other plans. The American star—playing in front of a buzzing New York crowd—was pushed to the brink before clawing her way to a hard-fought victory in three sets. It wasn’t the straightforward win Gauff or her fans might have wanted, but it was exactly the kind of gut-check moment that often defines champions.
Tomljanovic, known for her grit and shot-making under pressure, came out swinging, matching Gauff’s power and refusing to be intimidated by the electric Arthur Ashe atmosphere. The Australian frustrated Gauff with deep returns and relentless defense, forcing the 20-year-old into uncharacteristic errors. For a moment, it looked like an upset was brewing. But if Gauff has proven anything, it’s that she thrives when the spotlight burns brightest.
After dropping the first set, Gauff steadied herself with tactical adjustments—mixing in more variety, finding her first serve, and using her incredible athleticism to extend rallies until Tomljanovic finally cracked. The crowd, sensing the momentum shift, roared with every fist pump, turning the stadium into a pressure cooker that ultimately swung in Gauff’s favor.
By the third set, Gauff’s resilience shone through. She tightened her game, played the big points with ice-cold composure, and closed out the match with the kind of swagger that makes her one of the sport’s brightest stars.
In the end, it was survival, not dominance. But in Grand Slam tennis, sometimes survival is all that matters. Gauff now moves into the second round with lessons learned and her title hopes intact. If this first-round battle was any indication, she’s ready to fight for every inch in New York.
For Gauff, the road ahead won’t be easy—but if she can turn shaky starts into gritty wins, the US Open crowd may just witness another deep run from America’s favorite tennis prodigy.
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John Owolabi
Musa
