Tearful Gauff thanks Biles after tough US Open win

US Open 2025

Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 24 August-7 September

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website & app

A tearful Coco Gauff thanked superstar gymnast Simone Biles for bringing a "bit of calm" as she found a way to beat Croatia's Donna Vekic in the US Open second round.

Gauff, 21, was reduced to tears by more double faults before settling to win 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 on a supportive Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Biles was among the New York crowd as third seed Gauff toiled in a first set which was excruciating to watch at times.

On seeing Biles providing support in the stands, Gauff said: "She helped me pull it out.

"I thought if she can go on a six-inch beam with all the pressures in the world then I can hit the ball into this court.

"It brought me a little bit of calm. She is an inspiration to me and her presence helped me win."

Days before her home Grand Slam, Gauff made a bold move to reshuffle her team in a bid to stem the flow of double faults.

Gauff made what she described as a "sudden decision" after hitting 16 double faults in her Cincinnati exit against Italy's Jasmine Paolini.

Grip specialist Matt Daly paid the price as the American player brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who helped rival Aryna Sabalenka overcome her serving yips.

The drastic measure has brought increased scrutiny at what is already a high-pressure tournament for the 2023 champion.

Gauff started sobbing underneath a towel at the changeover after a double fault contributed to Vekic breaking back for 4-4.

It was one of eight she hit in the first set and, while she eventually came through a messy opener featuring eight breaks of serve, Gauff felt the need to compose herself in a bathroom break before the second.

Overcoming adversity is one of Gauff's greatest strengths and she limited the double faults to wrap up a straight-set victory.

Gauff, who played cleanly off the ground, broke down again during her on-court interview.

"I've never felt like that on the court before," she told ESPN.

"With learning a new thing, you don't feel comfortable and I think it affects everything else.

"I played really well, the serving can be improved, but it was better than my last match.

"There are a lot of positives to take and I need to remember that side of things."

Gauff moves on to play Polish 28th seed Magdalena Frech in the last 32.

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek admitted she "made some mistakes" in a laboured three-set victory over world number 66 Suzan Lamens to reach the US Open third round.

Second seed Swiatek raced through the first set against her Dutch opponent and looked on course for the sort of dominant early-round win that has become her trademark.

The 24-year-old was twice a break of serve up in the second set, but her frustration grew as her level dipped significantly, giving Lamens a route back into the contest.

The Pole moved a double break clear in the decider and eventually wrapped up a 6-1 4-6 6-4 victory in two hours and six minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Swiatek will play 29th seed Anna Kalinskaya in round three after the Russian beat Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-1 7-5.

Speaking on court after the match, six-time major champion Swiatek said: "It wasn't an easy match and I made some mistakes. I'm happy that at the end I could be more proactive.

"I felt like it depended on me and whether I was going to make mistakes or not.

"It was not easy, but the third set is a reset. You've got to start from the beginning and I knew I could play a little more precisely, so I just tried to do that."

Two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka admitted to being "stressed the entire time" as she defeated Hailey Baptiste 6-3 6-1.

A break apiece early in the first set teed up an intriguing contest, but Osaka's quality and Baptiste's struggles on serve - the American committed nine double faults and won just 19% of her second serves - proved the difference.

"I played her [Baptiste] last in Miami and it was probably the most difficult match of the year," recalled Osaka, who won a three-set battle between the pair in March at the Miami Open.

"I was trying to focus on not giving her any free points."

The 27-year-old has struggled for consistency and fitness since returning from maternity leave last year, but continued her good form after reaching the final of the Canadian Open earlier this month.

"I'm excited to be moving better and I feel really healthy," added Japan's Osaka, who is looking to win a major for the first time since the 2021 Australian Open.

Amanda Anisimova also reached the third round with a comfortable 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 win over Australian teenager Maya Joint.

The Wimbledon finalist was tested by the 19-year-old, who forced a tie-break in the first set but from 2-2, Anisimova won five straight points before easing to victory in the second.

The American has now won four of her past six matches since her Wimbledon thrashing by Swiatek earlier this summer.