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Defending champion Coco Gauff wasted no time launching her U.S. Open title defense, taking down first-round opponent Varvara Gracheva of France 6-2, 6-0, in 66 minutes on Monday in New York.
Gauff claimed her first Grand Slam title last year at Arthur Ashe Stadium and entered this year's tournament looking for recapture that form after a disappointing summer of results.
The third seed in this week's main draw, Gauff cruised against Gracheva, who's ranked 66th in the world. Gauff finished with a 10-0 edge in aces, went 9-for-9 saving break points and finished with a 16-5 advantage in total winners.
Gauff broke Gracheva's serve twice in the first set to take control. She won the final nine games in a row spanning the first and second sets.
The 20-year-old Gauff won her 15th match win at the U.S. Open, the youngest woman to hit that milestone since Caroline Wozniacki in 2010.
Gauff advanced to face Tatjana Maria of Germany in the second round. Maria was a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Solana Sierra of Argentina.
On a packed first day of main-draw action in New York, it did not take long for the first top-10 seed to fall. Greece's Maria Sakkari, the ninth seed, dropped her first set 6-2 to China's Yafan Wang before retiring due to an undisclosed injury.
Wang's next opponent will be Diane Parry of France, who took down China's Xiyu Wang 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5).
No. 7 seed Qinwen Zheng of China hit 12 aces and saved 8 of 12 break points on her way to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over American upstart Amanda Anisimova. Zheng moved on to face Russian Erika Andreeva, who rallied in her second-set tiebreaker to finish off China's Yue Yuan 6-3, 7-6 (7).
Other winners early on Monday included No. 12 seed Daria Kasatkina of Russia, No. 24 seed Donna Vekic of Croatia, No. 26 seed Paula Badosa of Spain, No. 27 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, Greet Minnen of Belgium and Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine. Germany's Jule Neimeier outlasted No. 32 seed Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
More must-reads:
- Ben Shelton earns sweep, closes Dominic Thiem's U.S. Open career
- Sloane Stephens US Open: Clara Burel comes back against American tennis star after losing first set 6-0
- The 'Women's U.S. Open tennis champions' quiz
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Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Bruins' David Pastrnak Calls Out Canadiens' Juraj Slafkovsky: He Just Lacks Humility'
Juraj Slafkovsky is one of the most promising players in the NHL, but now he has been called out by David Pastrnak, who stated he lacks humility. After being picked No. 1 overall in 2022 NHL Draft, expectations were high in Montreal for young star Juraj Slafkovsky, and thus far, he's shown glimpses of being the elite level player many expected when he entered the National Hockey League. However, there are still some major steps to go, and in a recent interview, Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak pointed out perhaps one area where the 21-year old may need to improve moving forward. When asked about Slafkovsky and his potential, Pastrnak gave nothing but a glowing review of the young Canadiens star, but he did note that he believes Slafkovsky needs more humility. 'He's still a young player who is gaining experience in the NHL every year. This season it was already clear that he gave the team more than before...He just needs a little more humility, he should set an example for the young ones.' On the ice, there's no doubting that Slafkovsky has the presence, the size and the talent to be a true star, posting 101 total points over the past two seasons, but for whatever reason, it appears as though Pastrnak believes he needs to improve off the ice before he can take a major leap in Montreal. Ultimately, the talent is still there for Slafkovsky, and at 21-years old, he'll continue to learn off the ice, and if he can go anywhere close to living up to the potential that he's shown in his first three years at the NHL level, there's no doubt that he can be a big time star and help lead the Canadiens to significant post-season success.
Three trade destinations for Nationals All-Star MacKenzie Gore
Since winning the World Series in 2019, the Washington Nationals have been one of the laughing stocks of MLB. The franchise has failed to make the postseason in each of the last five seasons, and at 41-61, that trend doesn't appear to be ending this year. The Nats are considered sellers with the July 31 trade deadline quickly approaching, and starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore is their most coveted asset. The fourth-year starter was a key return in the blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres in 2022. After two productive seasons that saw him steadily improve, Gore earned his first All-Star nod in 2025. With the Nationals heading nowhere again, though, it seems as though the franchise may capitalize on the 26-year-old's career-best trade value. He has a 3.52 ERA and 144 strikeouts across 117.2 innings in 21 starts. Gore has two more years of arbitration before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2028, so it won't be easy for rival teams to coax the talented lefty out of Washington. But with so many playoff hopefuls struggling with injuries in their rotations, one franchise is bound to pay up. Detroit Tigers After blazing through the first half of the season, the Detroit Tigers have struggled to just one win in their last 12 contests. While the team's ice-cold offense certainly hasn't helped, Detroit's rotation behind Tarik Skubal has left plenty to be desired. The Tigers boast one of baseball's premier farm systems, but with championship aspirations looming, it may be time to cash in on some of their most sought-after prospects. Gore would immediately bolster the Tigers' title hopes while giving them a legitimate second star in their rotation behind the AL Cy Young favorite. Boston Red Sox Another American League team with playoff aspirations, the Boston Red Sox didn't tear through the first half of the regular season in the same manner Detroit did. However, the team found new life after dealing Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants and is in the thick of the AL wild-card race. Pitching has been a strength for the Red Sox this season, but they, too, could use another All-Star arm behind their ace. Garrett Crochet has been a dominant force, while Brayan Bello has experienced a bit of a breakout in recent weeks. With the back end of their rotation struggling to find any semblance of consistency, Gore would be a sensible addition for the Sox. Chicago Cubs A championship contender with a lineup that strikes fear into their opponents every night, the Chicago Cubs' Achilles' heel could be their starting pitching. If they fail to mend the issue, that is. Matthew Boyd has been an unforeseen redemption story with the Cubs. Shota Imanaga has also held his own in his second full season, consistently pitching deep into games. However, the rest of the team's rotation is riddled with injury and inexperience. Cade Horton and Colin Rea are solid back-end starters, but neither inspires confidence for a potential playoff series. Gore has the potential to be a magnificent fit with Chicago and would create a formidable starting trio with Boyd and Imanaga. If there's one National League team to keep an eye on in trade talks for Gore, it's the Cubs.
Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons Showing Why He Was A Top 10 Pick In Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers may have struck gold with their offseason acquisition of Isaiah Simmons. The former first-round pick has wasted no time making an impression during training camp, showcasing the athleticism and versatility that once made him one of the most coveted prospects in the NFL Draft. With just a few practices under his belt, Simmons is already turning heads and making the New York Giants question their decision to let him walk. Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons’ Early Impact Isaiah Simmons has been a standout in the first week of Packers training camp, stepping up as the team’s third linebacker while Quay Walker recovers from offseason ankle surgery. On the opening day of practice, Simmons made several eye-catching plays, including a highlight moment where he shut down Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs on a screen pass. Jacobs, clearly impressed, described Simmons as “a unicorn,” adding, “He can run. We can put him out on guys in the slot, and he can cover guys. Really, man, I can’t wait to see him in pads.” The following day, Simmons continued to impress, tipping a pass from Malik Willis that led to an interception by cornerback Carrington Valentine. Head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to praise Simmons, saying, “There’s a reason he was a top-10 pick. He’s got all the measurables, and it’s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do.” Simmons himself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to focus on a more defined role as an off-the-ball linebacker, a departure from the hybrid responsibilities he juggled with the Cardinals and Giants. “I feel like it’s been beneficial to me so far, just allowing me to really learn one thing as opposed to learning this today, something else tomorrow, and who knows the next day,” Simmons said. NFL and College Career Simmons entered the NFL as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, selected by the Arizona Cardinals after a stellar career at Clemson. In college, Simmons was a do-it-all defender, recording 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions in his final season. His unique blend of size, speed, and versatility earned him the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and made him a consensus All-American. In the NFL, Simmons has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. His best season came in 2021 with the Cardinals, when he recorded 105 tackles, four forced fumbles, and an interception. However, his performance dipped in subsequent years, including a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Giants, where he earned a career-low Pro Football Focus grade of 45.6. Despite these setbacks, Simmons’ physical tools and potential remain undeniable. What Simmons Brings to the Packers The Green Bay Packers are hoping to unlock Simmons’ full potential by simplifying his role and allowing him to focus on his strengths. At 6’4″ and 238 pounds, Simmons has the size to take on blockers and the speed to cover tight ends and running backs. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways could make him a valuable asset in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme. Simmons’ addition also bolsters a Packers linebacker group that includes Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker. With Walker sidelined, Simmons has an opportunity to carve out a significant role and prove he can be a difference-maker for Green Bay. Teammates and Coaches See the Potential Simmons’ early performances have drawn praise not just from LaFleur and Jacobs but also from his new teammates. Safety Xavier McKinney, who played with Simmons in New York and reportedly advocated for his signing, has been vocal about his belief in Simmons’ abilities. “He’s got everything you want in a player—size, speed, instincts. I think he’s going to thrive here,” McKinney said. Final Thoughts Isaiah Simmons’ journey has been anything but smooth, but his early success in Packers training camp suggests he may have found the right fit in Green Bay. With his unique skill set and a coaching staff committed to putting him in positions to succeed, Simmons has a chance to rewrite the narrative of his NFL career. If his first few practices are any indication, the Green Bay Packers may have landed a game-changing talent—and the Giants may soon regret letting him go.
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