Andy Roddick gives his honest opinion on Coco Gauff’s level as she beats Zeynep Sonmez at the US Open
Coco Gauff defeated Zeynep Sonmez, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round of the US Open.
The American booked her place in the second round with a convincing win over the world number 53.
She faced some resistance in the second set, but Gauff recovered well to beat Sonmez in an hour and 20 minutes.
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Former US Open champion Andy Roddick has now delivered his verdict on Gauff’s performance.
Andy Roddick believes Coco Gauff can become world number one after watching her beat Zeynep Sonmez
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, the American said the following.
“Coco [Gauff] looks great,” said Roddick.
“I said it’s going to be pretty simple, when Coco has more aces than double faults, it usually is going to go well for her.
Coco Gauff vs Zeynep Sonmez – Match stats
| Stats | Coco Gauff | Zeynep Sonmez |
| Aces | 5 | 0 |
| Double faults | 3 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 62% | 50% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 71% | 69% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 73% | 42% |
| Break points | 3/6 | 1/5 |
“We forget that last year they were showing some of the photos and videos of her…
“I mean, you kind of forget as we go that she was sitting at the switchover with her hands trembling because she could not make a serve.
“But tonight, I thought [Zeynep] Sonmez played a really good match, but if Coco is hitting the ball well, she is moving well, she is serving well, there is only so much Sonmez can do.
“If Coco stays at that level, she is going to have a say in this tournament.
“She could very well be number one in the world.”
Gauff could become world number one for the first time after the US Open.
To do so, she must win the title and hope that Elena Rybakina fails to reach the semi-finals.
Live WTA Rankings
- 1. Elena Rybakina – 7,971 points
- 2. Aryna Sabalenka – 6,645 points
- 3. Jessica Pegula – 6,555 points
- 4. Coco Gauff – 6,534 points
- 5. Mirra Andreeva – 5,383 points
The current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, and her countrywoman, Jessica Pegula, are also in contention.
All four players won their opening matches in straight sets, but who looked most dominant?
Comparing the world number one challengers at the US Open
| Player | First round result | Sets dropped | Games dropped | Match time |
| Elena Rybakina | [WIN] vs Thea Frodin, 6-3, 6-2 | 0 | 5 | 1hr, 14 minutes |
| Coco Gauff | [WIN] vs Zeynep Sonmez, 6-3, 6-4 | 0 | 7 | 1hr, 20 minutes |
| Jessica Pegula | [WIN] vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-3, 6-2 | 0 | 5 | 1hr, 23 minutes |
| Aryna Sabalenka | [WIN] vs Camila Osorio, 6-2, 6-4 | 0 | 6 | 1hr, 27 minutes |
Rybakina dropped the joint-fewest games (5) and won the match in the shortest time (1hr, 14 minutes).
Gauff took just six minutes longer to secure the win (1hr, 20 minutes), but dropped more games than her three main rivals (7).
The reality is that there was almost nothing between the quartet in the first round, and all four will still fancy their chances of taking the title and becoming world number one.
Who will Coco Gauff play next at the US Open?
Gauff will play either Daria Kasatkina or Paula Badosa in the second round of the US Open.
Badosa was serving for the match at 6-1, 5-4, before rain ended proceedings on Tuesday evening.
She will return as the favourite to reach the second round, but after such a long delay, you wouldn’t count out Kasatkina pulling off the comeback.
Gauff has surprisingly poor head-to-head records against both players.
She is 0-3 against Kasatkina and 3-5 against Badosa.
If Gauff is to reach the third round and remain on course for a second US Open title, she will need to play much better than she has previously against either the Aussie or the Spaniard.
Badosa and Kasatkina will finish their first-round match on Wednesday, August 2, before the winner plays Gauff in round two on Thursday, August 3.
