Former U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff overcame service errors and mid-match tears to beat Croatian Donna Vekic 7-6(5), 6-2 and reach round three.

Gauff, still settling into a new coaching setup with bio-mechanist Gavin MacMillan, struggled with her reworked serve but managed to hold firm in the critical stages of a tense match.

Both players faltered early under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights, but Gauff cut down unforced errors in time to snatch the opening set in a close tiebreak.

The American wept during a changeover after being broken late in the first set, while Vekic received medical attention for a right arm issue shortly after.

Gauff regained focus in the second set, breaking Vekic twice, including a break at love, to pull clear and seal a hard-fought win in one hour, 52 minutes.

She had also battled through her opener against Ajla Tomljanovic and avenged last year’s Olympic third-round loss to Vekic with Thursday’s gritty performance.

“I’m just happy to be back on this court,” Gauff told fans, in tears. “No matter how tough it gets, you can do it. I’m doing this for you, too.”

Gymnast Simone Biles, a guest in the crowd, was a source of inspiration for Gauff, who admitted the Olympic star’s presence helped her find the strength to finish strong.

Biles won three golds in Paris 2024 after overcoming “the twisties,” a mental block that forced her to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics and nearly ended her gymnastics career.

“I saw her and thought, if she can handle that pressure, I can hit a ball,” Gauff said. “She’s an inspiration.”

(Reuters/NAN)