US Open 2024 Women’s Day 1

US Open holder Coco Gauff got her defence away to a winner on Monday as the third seed dispatched France’s Varvara Gracheva with the loss of just two games.

The hammering took just 66 minutes and should erase bitter memories of opening-round loss this month as 2023 Cincinnati titleholder.

“I thought I played well today,” the winner said. “You can’t ask for a better start into this tournament. I’m hoping to continue to get better as the week, two weeks go by.

“This week I (is all about) really finding my game. I was confident going in today. 

“I knew based on how I was practicing I can find my game regardless of the scoreline. Then it’s just about executing.”

Gauff now owns eight straight wins at the Flushing Meadows venue where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final 12 months ago. 

Gauff now takes on 37-year-old German Tatjana Maria in the second round; Maria started her fortnight with a win over Argentine qualifier Solana Sierra 6-2, 6-3 in her opener. 

Against Gracheva, Gauff saved six break points while breaking twice and sending over 10 aces.

Gauff led countryman at the home major, with Madison Keys, Taylor Townsend, and Peyton Stearns all advancing 

Former finalist Keys, seeded 15th, beat Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-1 in barely an hour helped by five breaks of serve. The 64th-ranked Townsend advanced 6-2, 7-5 win over Italy’s Martina Trevisan. 

The home winner rallied from 5-3 down in the second set, but took home the win by sweeping the final four games to next play Paula Badosa. The Spaniard eliminated Swiss Viktorija Golubic 6-0, 6-3.

No. 47 Stearns 2018 quarter-finalist Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine.

Elina Svitloina began with a defeat of Maria Lourdes Carle of Argentina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 while Daria Kasatkina defeated Romanian Jacqueline Cristian 6-2, 6-4.