Coco Gauff returns to Arthur Ashe Stadium to open her US Open title defense, facing Australian veteran Ajla Tomljanovi in a first-round clash that promises intensity. At just 21, Gauff is already a two-time Grand Slam champion and enters as the No. 3 seed. But Tomljanovi has a reputation for derailing big names-most memorably Serena Williams in her farewell match at Flushing Meadows in 2022.
Date and Time
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Time: 7 pm ET (Arthur Ashe Stadium)
Where to Watch Live in the U.S.
- ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPN+ – full coverage of all matches
- ABC – select primetime matches and the finals
- Streaming options: ESPN App, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, fuboTV
Head-to-Head Record
Gauff and Tomljanovi have met only once before, at the 2024 Paris Olympics on clay. The American dominated that match 6-3, 6-0, giving her a 1-0 edge in their head-to-head. While the surface is different, that result underlines Gauff’s athletic advantage and firepower.
Gauff arrives in New York as the reigning French Open champion, her second career Slam, but her summer hard-court form has been inconsistent with early exits in Cincinnati and Montreal. Ahead of this US Open, she made a bold coaching change, bringing in biomechanic expert Gavin MacMillan to stabilize her serve-an area of concern that could be tested in her opener.
Tomljanovi, ranked No. 84, has battled injuries in recent years but remains a dangerous opponent. She has reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals in her career, including the 2022 US Open, and thrives on grinding rallies and capitalizing on opponent errors.
Coco Gauff is the heavy favorite, backed by her athleticism, Grand Slam pedigree, and championship experience at Flushing Meadows. Yet Ajla Tomljanovi is a seasoned competitor who knows how to spoil big moments. If Gauff settles quickly, she should advance comfortably, but the veteran’s resilience means fans could be in for a tense opener.
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