Throughout Coco Gauff’s 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 second-round US Open victory over Donna Vekic on Thursday, Gauff discovered inspiration from a well-known face within the stands: seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.
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Gauff had simply concluded a grueling first set the place she recorded seven double faults and misplaced 4 of her six service video games. It led to tears after taking place 5-4, however Gauff bounced again to win the set — and match — earlier than crediting Biles for her victory. Gauff noticed Biles within the stands whereas the Olympian was being interviewed by ESPN.
“I noticed her and actually I do not know if she’s up there,” Gauff mentioned. “However she helped me pull it out. I used to be simply pondering if she will go on a 6-inch beam and do this with all of the pressures on the planet then I can hit the ball. … It introduced me slightly little bit of calm.”
After the match, the 2 met, and Gauff thanked Biles for coming. Gauff even FaceTimed her mother so Biles may say hello, then took a screenshot of the three.
“Like severely, what I mentioned within the interview, I used to be occupied with that actually,” mentioned Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion.
“Oh, that is so candy,” Biles responded.
Biles had comparable reward for Gauff whereas being interviewed in the course of the match, admitting that “clearly” Gauff was the explanation she was again watching the US Open after coming for the primary time final yr.
Simone Biles loves watching Coco Gauff’s grace and humility on and off the courtroom 👏 pic.twitter.com/kRjaibnHZS
— ESPN (@espn) August 29, 2025
The No. 3-seeded Gauff will face No. 28-seeded Magdalena Frech within the third spherical Saturday.
