Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive form, following up her Cincinnati Open title with a commanding straight-sets victory over Priscilla Hon in the first round of the 2024 U.S. Open. The No. 2 seed showcased her dominance from the outset, delivering powerful serves and effectively dismantling Hon’s second serve, winning 59% of those points. Sabalenka’s aggressive play on the hard court highlighted why she’s considered one of the tournament’s top contenders.
Meanwhile, defending champion Coco Gauff also secured her place in the second round with a straight-sets win over Varvara Gracheva. However, the match was more challenging than the 6-2, 6-0 scoreline suggests. Gauff, the No. 3 seed, faced multiple break points in nearly every service game during the first set, struggling with consistency and committing 16 unforced errors. In the second set, Gauff found her rhythm, reducing her unforced errors to just five, and closed out the match in a much more convincing fashion.
As the reigning champion, Gauff is among the top favorites to win the U.S. Open, holding the third-shortest odds. However, to defend her title successfully, she will need to address her early-match inconsistencies, particularly with her first serve and forehand. As the competition intensifies, maintaining a high level of play will be crucial for Gauff as she aims to secure back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows.
