Home favourite Gauff storms past Sonmez at US Open

NEW YORK, Sept 1 : Home favourite Coco Gauff began her campaign for a second U.S. Open crown with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on Tuesday.The 22-year-old arrived fresh from winning the Cincinnati Open and is chasing a third Grand Slam title after her breakthrough triumph in New York in 2023."I wasn't that nervous today, which was a shock," Gauff said on court. "When I walked back out on this court, I was trying to hold back a smile."Gauff was in control under the lights and closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking the only break of serve in the first set and wrapping up the opener in just over half an hour. World number 53 Sonmez showed flashes of her talent and produced a string of impressive winners, including a blistering backhand that drew applause from the crowd and