Coco Gauff reaches US Open Last 16 after Cristina Bucsa win

Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round of the 2026 US Open after defeating Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4, but the defending tournament contender knows there is room for improvement as the competition gets tougher.

Gauff secured her place in the last 16 on Arthur Ashe Stadium without dropping a set, extending her winning run to nine matches. The American, however, was far from her most convincing against world No. 40 Bucsa.

Her serve in particular caused problems, with Gauff landing just 49% of her first serves and committing six double faults. Despite those issues, the 2023 US Open champion found a way through another potentially awkward challenge and remains firmly in contention for another deep run in New York.

Gauff gets the job done despite uneven performance

Bucsa refused to allow Gauff to settle into an attacking rhythm, using her all-round game to take time away from the American. That forced Gauff into a more defensive approach for significant periods of the match.

Gauff acknowledged afterward that she did not feel particularly comfortable with her ball-striking early on.

"When I feel like I'm not feeling the ball that well, I play defensive," Gauff said.

She eventually found more rhythm and began taking greater risks with her returns and groundstrokes. That shift helped her close out the match in straight sets rather than allowing Bucsa an opportunity to force a deciding set.

Serving remains the biggest concern

While Gauff's result was positive, her service numbers provide an obvious area for improvement. Against Bucsa, she made only 49% of her first serves and hit six double faults.

Her first-serve percentage has fluctuated throughout the tournament:

The positive for Gauff is that she won 74% of points behind her first serve against Bucsa. That suggests the issue is less about what happens when the first serve lands and more about getting enough first serves into play.

With the second week of the tournament approaching, that could become increasingly important against opponents capable of exploiting weaker service games.

Navratilova gives Gauff B- for Bucsa performance

Former world No. 1 Martina Navratilova was impressed by Bucsa's approach but felt Gauff's fighting qualities ultimately made the difference. Navratilova awarded Gauff a B- for her performance.

She noted that Bucsa was effective at attacking and taking time away from Gauff, something the American does not always enjoy. Former British player Laura Robson was marginally more generous, giving Gauff a B.

Robson suggested Gauff was capable of playing at a significantly higher level but praised her ability to win even when her best tennis was not available.

That quality could prove important during the latter stages of a Grand Slam.

Nine straight wins for Gauff

The victory also extended an impressive run for Gauff.

She has now won nine consecutive matches after claiming the Cincinnati Open title immediately before the US Open.

Her current streak is:

• Cincinnati Open second round — beat Liudmila Samsonova
• Cincinnati Open third round — beat Ann Li
• Cincinnati Open fourth round — beat Marie Bouzkova
• Cincinnati Open quarter-final — beat Marta Kostyuk
• Cincinnati Open semi-final — beat Sara Bejlek
• Cincinnati Open final — beat Jessica Pegula
• US Open first round — beat Zeynep Sonmez
• US Open second round — beat Paula Badosa
• US Open third round — beat Cristina Bucsa

That run includes two tournament titles, with Gauff carrying considerable momentum into the second week in New York.

Gauff embraces pressure of playing at home

Gauff also suggested she is approaching this year's US Open with a different mindset. The American said she feels more relaxed than she did last year, despite the additional pressure that comes with being one of the country's leading hopes at the tournament.

"Obviously there's a lot of pressure here as an American," she said, while acknowledging the significance of performing in front of the home crowd.

Her next opponent will be determined by the meeting between Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic.

Gauff has faced both players before, but the fourth-round encounter will provide another test of whether she can turn her current winning momentum into a genuine title challenge.

SportsLigue