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Third seed Cori “Coco” Gauff continues her title defense at the US Open with a second-round clash against Croatia’s Donna Vekić. The two players are meeting for the third time in their careers, with the winner advancing to face either Magdalena Frech or Peyton Stearns in the next round.
Gauff’s Bid for Another Grand Slam
Gauff is chasing her third career Grand Slam crown and her second of the 2025 season after triumphing at Roland Garros earlier this year. Her New York campaign began with a hard-fought three-set win over Ajla Tomljanovic, a match that tested her resilience but also confirmed her ability to grind out victories on the biggest stage. Now ranked second in the live standings, Gauff has posted an impressive 36-12 record this season, including an 18-7 mark on hard courts.
The reigning US Open champion has shown consistency at Flushing Meadows, where her aggressive baseline play and improved serve continue to shine. However, her recent form has been slightly patchy—dropping sets in several matches and suffering a three-set loss in Cincinnati. Even so, her track record and mental toughness suggest she will be difficult to stop.
Vekić’s Rocky Season
Donna Vekić arrives at this contest with mixed fortunes. Her deepest runs this year came at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Madrid, where she reached the fourth round. However, she has struggled to advance beyond the early stages elsewhere, falling in the second round at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Her opening-round victory over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro gave her a boost, improving her season record to 12-19, but concerns remain. Vekić has lost seven of her last eleven second-round matches at majors, and her hard-court record this year (7-11) underlines her difficulties on the surface. Currently sitting at 65th in the live rankings, she enters this battle as the clear underdog.
Head-to-Head and Match Dynamics
Gauff has the edge in both form and confidence, having beaten higher-ranked opponents consistently throughout the season. Vekić, meanwhile, has been prone to inconsistency, with two of her last four matches going to three sets and four losses in her previous seven outings.
The Croatian will need to rely on her power game and first-serve accuracy to trouble Gauff, but sustaining that level against one of the best defenders in women’s tennis is a tall order. Gauff, for her part, must tighten up her shot selection and avoid mid-match lapses that have cost her sets recently.
Prediction: Gauff in Three Sets
While Gauff is strongly favored—bookmakers give her a 66.36% chance of winning—this may not be a straightforward encounter. Vekić has enough experience and shot-making ability to steal a set if Gauff dips in concentration. Still, the American’s superior form, composure in long rallies, and pedigree at Flushing Meadows should see her through.
Prediction: Coco Gauff to win in three sets.
