Coco Gauff Wipes Away Tears at the US Open While Winning Again Despite Problems Serving

Coco Gauff, of the United States, cries after defeating Donna Vekic, of Croatia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, on Aug. 28, 2025, in New York. Frank Franklin II/AP Photo

NEW YORK—Coco Gauff kept wiping the tears welling in her eyes between points in her second-round match at the U.S. Open on Thursday night, trying to stay composed, trying to give herself a chance to win.

Gauff’s serving troubles were again an issue, just as they were two nights earlier, just as they’ve been for a while now. The two-time Grand Slam champion teamed up with a new coach recently to try to fix that aspect of her game, and while there clearly is still work to be done, Gauff did figure out how to stay in the tournament, beating Donna Vekic 7-6 (5), 6-2 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.