US Open: Coco Gauff moves easily into the second round in Flushing Meadows, while Jan Choinski loses marathon match | Tennis News

Coco Gauff made it into the second round of the US Open with ease, making the perfect start to her title defense, while Briton Jan Choinski lost a grueling match in the men’s singles.

Gauff dropped just two games as she defeated French player Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 6-0, returning to form after a disappointing build-up to the tournament this month.

After reaching the semifinals of the French Open in June, third-seeded Gauff struggled and retired early this month ahead of the US Open in Toronto and Cincinnati.

“This tournament has definitely been a lot of pressure, but I’m just enjoying it. Last year was incredible, but I’m just bringing that vibe here and whatever happens, happens,” said Gauff, who will play Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the next round.

“It is an honor to be back at Arthur Ashe and to play in front of you.”

Gauff broke Gracheva in the third game and, as she began to find her rhythm, she made a double break to make it 5-2.

The American dominated the second set by “bagling” her opponent, which means winning the set without dropping a game.

“If I had played this game last week, I think it would have been really difficult, but my perspective has changed a lot in seven days,” she said.

“Today I wouldn’t say I was happy with the result, but I enjoyed the game today and it was obviously a bit more straightforward. I think even though it was closer, those are the moments you live for.

“I’m just happy to be back on this court and playing like I have been. The last few weeks have been tough, but when I can play here, I can play great tennis and I think today was the best tennis I’ve played in a long time.”

Choinski loses grueling match

Meanwhile, Briton Choinski fought back from a two-set deficit and forced a deciding set, but eventually lost in a marathon match 2:6, 3:6, 7:5, 7:6 (7:5), 3:6 to Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

Choinski, competing in a Grand Slam main draw for the first time outside of Wimbledon, made it through the qualifying rounds and looked set to be eliminated in straight sets.

Trailing 3-1 in two sets, Choinski fought back remarkably, winning a close third set and then coming back from a break down in the fourth set to win a tiebreak 7-5.

It seemed as if Carballes Baena was physically exhausted, but Choinski missed three break points at the beginning of the deciding set, which cost him dearly.

Carballes Baena immediately punished the British qualifier, fending off three more break points to move 3-0 up. From then on, Choinski failed to break again and lost after four and a half hours.

“I’ve had some difficulties over the last two or three days or the last week,” Choinski said after the game.

“After the second qualifying round, my throat started to itch and in the third qualifying match I developed a real cold.

“I had a sinus infection and was coughing. In the three days leading up to this match I did everything I could to get rid of it. It got better and that’s no excuse, but in the first two sets I was walking around with mucus in my lungs, so I didn’t feel so good physically.

“I had to face the situation that presented itself to me and then I started serving well and playing aggressively. But in the fifth set I started to physically feel my legs and the problems began.”

Thiem’s ​​Grand Slam career ends

Dominic Thiem’s ​​Grand Slam career ended when he was beaten by American Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Thiem, who won the 2020 US Open, will retire in October and was overwhelmed by Shelton despite his best efforts.

“I’ve had enough to struggle with in recent years, especially because I haven’t been able to get back to my level,” he said.

“But after I made the decision in March this year, I was happy about it from that moment on. Obviously, I was also able to prepare myself for this new chapter that is about to begin.

“I’ve always loved playing on tour and I’ve been very patient with it, but honestly I’ve always really enjoyed being at home and living a normal life as much as possible.

“And that’s why I’m really looking forward to normal life now. That’s why I think it’s not that difficult for me and that’s why I’m really happy with my decision.”

Elsewhere, Taylor Fritz, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud and Matteo Berrettini all won in straight sets.

There was a surprise defeat for Alexander Bublik after he was beaten over the full distance by Chinese Shang Juncheng 6:4, 3:6, 5:7, 6:3, 6:4.

In the women’s draw, ninth-seeded Maria Sakkari retired from her match against China’s Yafan Wang in the middle of the match due to injury.

Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng defeated Amanda Anisimova 4:6, 6:4, 6:2, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina came back from a set behind to defeat Argentinian Maria Lourdes Carle 3:6, 6:3, 6:4 and Paula Badosa won her first match.

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