Coco Gauff Defeats Paula Badosa at US Open 2026, Advances to Third Round

NEW YORK — American tennis star Coco Gauff continued her 2026 US Open title campaign with a hard-fought victory over Paula Badosa on Thursday night at Flushing Meadows.

Gauff, the No. 4 seed and defending US Open champion, defeated Spain's Paula Badosa 6-4, 7-6(5) in the second round, securing her place in the third round of the year's final Grand Slam.

Gauff Overcomes Badosa Challenge

The matchup was one of the most anticipated second-round matches at the 2026 US Open. Badosa entered the contest with a history of success against Gauff, making the match a significant test for the American star.

Gauff ultimately handled the pressure and produced the key points when they mattered most. After winning the opening set 6-4, she battled through a tight second set before closing out the match in a tiebreak.

The victory continues Gauff's strong run heading into the later stages of the tournament.

Coco Gauff's US Open 2026 Run

Gauff began her US Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez, winning 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round.

Her latest win over Badosa gives Gauff another important victory as she looks to make a deep run in New York.

The American arrives at the US Open with considerable momentum after winning the Cincinnati title shortly before the tournament.

Paula Badosa's Strong Challenge

Paula Badosa, a former world No. 2, has faced significant injury problems in recent seasons but has shown signs of a resurgence in 2026.

Before facing Gauff, Badosa defeated Daria Kasatkina in the first round. She also entered the matchup with confidence after previously defeating Gauff in Berlin earlier this season.

Despite the loss, Badosa's performance against one of the tournament favorites showed why she remains a dangerous opponent on the Grand Slam stage.

What Comes Next for Gauff?

With Badosa behind her, Coco Gauff now moves into the third round of the 2026 US Open.

The defending champion will be looking to maintain her momentum as she continues her bid for another championship at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

For American tennis fans, Gauff's progress will remain one of the biggest storylines of the tournament.

Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa — Quick Result

• Tournament: US Open 2026
• Round: Second Round
• Winner: Coco Gauff
• Score: 6-4, 7-6(5)
• Opponent: Paula Badosa
• Location: New York, United States
• Next Stage: Third Round

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