US Open: Coco Gauff eases into second round at Flushing Meadows as Jan Choinski loses marathon match

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Coco Gauff cruised into the second round of the US Open to make the perfect start to her title defence, as Britain’s Harriet Dart won in style, but Jan Choinski lost a gruelling match.

Gauff only dropped two games as she beat French player Varvara Gracheva 6-2 6-0 and looked back on form after a disappointing build-up to the tournament this month.

After reaching the semi-finals of the French Open in June, third seed Gauff has struggled and had early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati this month during the build-up to the US Open.

“It was definitely a lot of pressure this tournament but I’m just enjoying it. Last year was incredible but I’m just bringing those vibes here and whatever happens, happens,” said Gauff, who will play Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the next round.

“It’s an honour to be back on Arthur Ashe and playing in front of you guys.”

Gauff broke Gracheva in the third game and made it a double break to go 5-2 up as she began to find her rhythm.

The American dominated the second set to “bagel” her opponent – which is when you win the set without dropping a game.

“If I played this match last week, I feel like it would have been really difficult, but my perspective changed a lot over seven days,” she said.

“Today I wouldn’t say I’d be happy with what the result was but I enjoyed the match today and it was obviously a bit more of a straightforward match and I feel even it was tighter, these are the moments you live for.

“I’m just happy to back here on this court and playing like I did. The last few weeks have been tough but if I can play here, I can play great tennis and today I think was the best tennis I played in a while.”