NEW YORK – The problems with Coco Gauff’s serve have been well-documented, with one of the most basic maneuvers in tennis costing the two-time Grand Slam champion matches.
But Gauff, who at times was emotional, persevered once again on Thursday night, in front of a packed crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She can put those concerns away for at least one more day, advancing with an error-filled 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 second-round victory over unseeded Donna Vekic of Croatia.
Gauff moves on to play in the third round against Poland’s Magdalena Fręch.
Gauff, the No. 3 seed and 2023 US Open champion, had eight double faults and 18 unforced errors, and managed to convert 67% of her first serves in play.
Gauff got off to a rocky start and was broken on opening serve, which ended in a double fault. She found herself down two games before battling back, breaking Vekic, who had her own issues with her serve, double-faulting three times in the third game alone.
Vekic, a 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist, had 10 double faults and 35 unforced errors (mostly balls hit into the net), and received treatment on her right arm from the medical staff. She wasted an opportunity serving for the first set when she was immediately broken, sending the set to a tiebreak, where Gauff’s fewer mistakes were the difference.
Gauff knows she hasn’t played her best during the first two rounds and needed nearly three hours to beat her first-round opponent, Australian Ajla Tomljanović 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 7-5, double-faulting 10 times during that match.
Coco Gauff vs. Donna Vekic result, highlights
Gauff defeated Vekic 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
Gauff takes first set in tiebreak
After receiving treatment on her arm, Vekic served for the first set but was immediately broken, sending the first set to a tiebreak. Neither player got command during the tiebreak, going back and forth with mostly unforced errors, before Gauff settled the issue with a forehand winner and an error by Vekic to take the set 7-6 (5).
Vekic gets medical treatment
Vekic is receiving treatment on her right arm from the medical staff and is set to serve for the first set, which has been poorly played with dozens of unforced errors and double faults.
Vekic struggling with her serve
Vekic has already double-faulted six times in the first set, including three times in the third game. Gauff failed to take advantage at times and after taking four games in a row after being down 0-2, Vekic has rallied to even up the match.
Gauff down early
Gauff’s serve betrayed her to start the match as she was broken, double-faulting to give Vekic the first game. She was blitzed in the second game and will have to dig out of a hole to get back in the match.
Coco Gauff and Donna Vekic enter stadium court
Expecting a packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium as Gauff is introduced to loud applause. Gauff’s serve has been the subject of her game lately, so it will be interesting if she can get off to a good start tonight. Vekic, a 29-year-old from Croatia, is ranked No. 49 in the world and is expected to play aggressively from the start.
What time is Coco Gauff vs. Donna Vekic?
Coco Gauff will face off against Donna Vekic in the second-round of the 2025 US Open on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Watch Coco Gauff at the US Open on Fubo
How to watch Coco Gauff vs. Donna Vekic: US Open TV channel, stream
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (New York)
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
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