Gauff Rolls Into US Open Round of 16 as Keys and Anisimova Crash Out

Coco Gauff keeps rolling at Flushing Meadows. The 2023 US Open champion brushed aside Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to reach the fourth round for the fifth consecutive year — all while compatriots Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova were packing their bags early.

Gauff Stays Sharp, Stays Calm

This wasn't a flawless performance, but it was a statement one. Gauff fell behind 3-1 in the opening set and was broken to love early in the second, yet she responded both times with the composure of a player who has clearly learned from the pressure cooker moments that tripped her up in previous editions of this tournament.

According to BBC Sport, Gauff admitted she put enormous pressure on herself at last year's US Open, where her run ended at the fourth-round stage for the second straight time. This year feels different.

"Last year, I put so much pressure on myself. I'm enjoying the experience out here," Gauff said.

The victory was her eighth consecutive straight-set win at WTA Tour level — a run that includes her 2025 French Open title. If you've been following her trajectory, this form isn't a surprise. She's been [dominant all summer](article/coco-gauff-advances-at-cincinnati-open-with-dominant-victory) and looks every bit the defending champion New York wants her to be.

Gauff now becomes the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999 — a title she claimed three years ago — and she's only added to her game since. Next up: 14th seed Iva Jovic, who ground out a thrilling 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 win over Alexandra Eala in over three hours. That fourth-round clash should be must-watch tennis.

Keys Collapses from 5-0 Up in the Third

Madison Keys delivered one of the more baffling exits of the tournament. She led Zheng Qinwen — the reigning Olympic champion — 5-0 in the deciding set and had a match point in hand. Then it all fell apart.

Keys dropped every one of the final seven games, losing 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 in a result that stunned the crowd. The 2025 Australian Open winner said the moment became too big, too fast.

"I got really scared, like I couldn't swing. I felt like I couldn't play tennis anymore," Keys said. "It felt like it was a much bigger deal than just playing a tennis match all of a sudden."

At 31, Keys knows something has to give. She acknowledged she's been struggling for a while and said changes are coming — just as soon as she stops putting them off. It's a candid admission from a player with genuine Grand Slam pedigree.

Anisimova Falls Flat

Last year's US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova had no such dramatic collapse — she simply never got going. The 25-year-old lost in straight sets to 24th seed Anastasia Potapova, visibly frustrated throughout as she dropped her serve six times across the two sets.

Anisimova, who pushed world number one Aryna Sabalenka all the way in last year's final, looked nothing like that player on Saturday. Whether fatigue, form, or nerves played a role, the result was a straight-sets exit and an early flight home.

USA Still Loaded in the Round of 16

Despite the losses, American tennis has plenty to cheer. Five U.S. women are still alive in the last 16: Gauff — who's been [grinding through the draw in style](article/gauff-grinds-past-badosa-to-stay-on-track-for-us-open-defence) — alongside Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, Emma Navarro, and teenager Iva Jovic.

On the men's side, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, and Alex Michelsen are all through, with Learner Tien still to play. A potential five American men in the fourth round would be a remarkable showing.

Elsewhere, two-time champion Naomi Osaka battled past 23rd seed Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to set up a mouth-watering clash with second seed Elena Rybakina — who knows she'll become world number one if she reaches the semi-finals.

Gauff, though, remains the story. Locked in, relaxed, and hunting a second major. The second week starts now.

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