U.S. Open tennis: Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev roll into second round

Coco Gauff dominates in US Open, Novak Djokovic begins title defense as top seeds face tough competition.

Coco Gauff powered into the second round of the US Open on Monday, launching her title defence with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Varvara Gracheva as defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic prepared to start his repeat bid under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Gauff, seeded third, fired 10 aces and needed just 66 minutes to beat 66th-ranked Gracheva. She saved eight break points -- including two with aces in the final game.

“It is definitely a lot of pressure this tournament but I’m just enjoying it,” said Gauff, who is seeded third behind world number one Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.

“Last year was incredible, so I’m just bringing those vibes and whatever happens, happens.”

Gauff has battled through an erratic season since capturing her maiden major last year and her tune-up tournaments saw her fall in the third round at Toronto before she crashed out of her first match as the defending champion in Cincinnati.

“The last few weeks have been a little bit tough,” Gauff said. “But today was I think the best tennis I’ve played in a while.”

Four-time champion Djokovic, seeded second behind world number one Jannik Sinner, is vying to become the first man to repeat in New York since Roger Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008.