American star Coco Gauff continues her pursuit of a Gauff second US Open title with a third round matchup against Spain’s Paula Badosa, a player who has previously gotten the better of her at major tournaments. The fourth seed enters the match playing arguably the best hard court tennis of her career.
Gauff has posted a remarkable win percentage on hard courts this season, surpassing even her career best mark from 2023, the year she claimed her first Grand Slam title at this very tournament. Her recent form includes a dominant championship run at the Cincinnati Open just weeks before arriving in New York.
The upcoming match against Badosa carries extra intrigue given their history. The Spanish player defeated Gauff during a previous meeting at a major tournament, denying her a chance at back to back semifinal appearances. That history adds an unusual layer of challenge for a player otherwise cruising through the early rounds.
Gauff’s opening match of this year’s tournament showed some early tension before she settled into a comfortable rhythm, closing out the contest in straight sets. Her ability to elevate her game when needed has become a hallmark of her recent tennis, distinguishing her from the anxious teenager who first broke through at this event.
The broader women’s field enters this stage of the tournament with significant uncertainty surrounding several top contenders. The defending champion has struggled with her form throughout the summer hard court season, dropping matches to lower ranked opponents in ways that have raised questions about her continued dominance.
Another top seed withdrew from a tune up tournament due to injury concerns, adding further uncertainty to a draw that many analysts consider unusually open this year. This combination of factors has elevated Gauff’s status among betting favorites heading into the tournament’s second week.
Tennis analysts have offered varying predictions for how the tournament might unfold, with some projecting a potential meeting between Gauff and the defending champion in the final, while others favor different contenders based on current form and draw positioning heading into the business end of the tournament.
Since the start of the grass court season earlier in the summer, Gauff has compiled an impressive overall record, capped by her decisive Cincinnati title run. This extended stretch of strong results has fueled growing confidence that she can add a second US Open trophy to her collection this year.
The American has also matured significantly in how she handles pressure moments compared to her breakthrough run three years ago. Matches that once produced visible anxiety now unfold with a composed efficiency that reflects years of additional experience competing at the sport’s highest level.
Beyond Gauff’s individual pursuit, the broader American contingent has shown strong form throughout the tournament’s opening rounds, adding to the sense of opportunity surrounding this year’s home Grand Slam for the host nation’s players across both draws.
As the tournament progresses toward its concluding rounds, all eyes remain on whether Gauff can navigate a challenging draw to capture her second major title. Her current form, combined with uncertainty surrounding several established contenders, has positioned her as one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines this year.
