ESPN News Services Aug 28, 2023 10:40pm ET2 Minute Read
NEW YORK — Coco Gauff had already lost a set on day one of the US Open when she found herself in a marathon of 30 points and more than 25 minutes of play early in the second set.
Of course there was still plenty of time to return to Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, but this felt crucial.
The 19-year-old from Florida had lost her last two Grand Slam matches – including a first-round elimination at Wimbledon last month – and didn’t want to go quiet or fast this time. With thousands of partisan fans raising their voices, sixth-seeded Gauff eventually converted her eighth break point of the game and ended up defeating German qualifier Laura Siegemund 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Once she had the lead, Gauff’s biggest disappointment was the way Siegemund made her wait until she played the next point. Siegemund always took his time and was warned by referee Marijana Veljovic at the beginning of the last sentence. Brad Gilbert, one of two coaches to have worked with Gauff recently, shook his head at how long it took Veljovic to step in and his reaction made Gauff smile.
But when Gauff was 3-0 up in that set, she had had enough and crossed over to make her point.
“She is never ready when I serve. … How is that fair?” Gauff told Veljovic. “I walk at a normal pace. Ask a referee here. … I was calm the whole game. …Now it’s ridiculous. I don’t care what she does on her serve, but [on] My serve, she must be ready.
In the end, Gauff dropped this game – but not another either. Later, Siegemund was deducted a point for delay, which gave Gauff a 5-1 lead. This prompted Siegemund to plead her case to Veljovic: “I can’t go to the towel anymore?” – and triggered some mockery from the crowd.
Towards the end there was another hiccup for Gauff: In the third game she was 5-2 for the game, but committed three double faults. Those were their only double faults in the entire 2 hour 51 minute game.
In the end she persevered and it was Gauff’s 12th win in 13 games since the disappointing performance at the All England Club. This latest 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.
When asked by ESPN during her on-court interview with Pam Shriver to describe what it was like playing Monday’s game, Gauff dryly replied, “Slowly.”
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle were in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch Gauff’s first-round victory.
After that game, Michelle Obama entered the pitch to attend a tribute to Billie Jean King celebrating the 50th anniversary of the US Open, which became the first major sporting event to give women equal prize money.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.