US Open: Coco Gauff attracts A-Listers Barack and Michelle Obama, Mike Tyson, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Anna Wintour and Danny DeVito to opening match with Laura Siegemund
- Gauff attracted an A-list crowd to her first-round matchup with Laura Siegemund
- The Obamas, Mike Tyson, Alec Baldwin, and Danny DeVito were all on hand
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Coco Gauff attracted an A-list crowd to her first-round matchup with Laura Siegemund on Monday night at the US Open, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Mike Tyson, Danny DeVito, Anna Wintour and Alec Baldwin.
Gauff did not disappoint, overcoming a difficult first set to win, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and advance to the second round of the tournament.
The former President was all smiles as he donned a grey jacket and white button-down, while the former First Lady looked engrossed in the match in a black cover-up on top of a blue dress.
Wintour, a frequent attendee, wore her trademark sunglasses along with a floral red, blue and black shirt, while Alec Baldwin dressed in a suit and tie for the occasion alongside wife Hilaria Baldwin.
Tyson seemed to be in good spirits alongside wife Lakiha Spicer, as he opted for a blue blazer to watch Gauff. The former heavyweight champion attended all 12 rounds of the US Open in 2022.
Former President of the United States Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama
Mike Tyson and his wife Lakiha Spicer are pictured at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night
The crowd was certainly in Gauff’s corner in Flushing on Monday night at the US Open
DeVito, also in a black blazer and glasses, could be seen clapping during the match, in which Siegemund surprisingly won the first set 6-3. Gauff battled back in the second set for a 6-2 win to force a third frame.
He was seated next to former Olympic skier Lindsay Vonn, who watched the match with her boyfriend Diego Osorio.
Musician Seal was also at the match in a grey blazer, looking focused on what would be a difficult night for Gauff, who was coming off two tournament victories earlier this month.
Gauff already was down a set on Day 1 of the U.S. Open when she found herself locked in a marathon of a 30-point, 25-plus-minute game to begin the second set. Sure, there still was plenty of time to come back Monday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, but this felt pivotal.
Actor Danny DeVito appeared to be impressed with what he saw at the US Open on Monday
British and American media executive Anna Wintour looks on during first-round action
The 19-year-old from Florida had lost her past two Grand Slam matches — including a first-round exit at Wimbledon last month — and did not want to leave quietly or quickly this time.
With thousands of partisan fans getting rowdier by the moment, the sixth-seeded Gauff finally converted on her eighth break point of that game, and wound up beating German qualifier Laura Siegemund 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 and reaching the second round at Flushing Meadows.
Once she had the lead, the biggest frustration for Gauff was the way Siegemund would make her wait to play the next point.
Siegemund repeatedly took her sweet time and, early in the last set, was warned by chair umpire Marijana Veljovic. Brad Gilbert, who is one of two coaches working with Gauff lately, shook his head at how long it took Veljovic to intervene, and his reaction drew a smile from Gauff.
‘She’s never ready when I’m serving. … How is this fair?’ Gauff told Veljovic. ‘I’m going a normal speed. Ask any ref here. … I’ve been quiet the whole match. … Now it’s ridiculous. I don’t care what she’s doing on her serve, but (on) my serve, she has to be ready.’
British singer, songwriter, and record producer Seal, looks on during first-round play
American actor Alec Baldwin and his Massachusetts-born wife Hilaria attend the US Open
American former World Cup alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn (R) and boyfriend Diego Osorio
Gauff wound up dropping that game — but then not another. Later, Siegemund was docked a point for delaying, which put Gauff up 5-1. That prompted Siegemund to argue her case to Veljovic — ‘I can’t go to the towel anymore?’ — and drew some jeers from the crowd.
There was another hiccup for Gauff toward the finish: She served for the match at 5-2 in the third, but double-faulted three times. Those were her only double-faults of the entire 2-hour, 51-minute match.
In the end, she held on, and it was Gauff’s 12th victory in 13 matches since the disappointing showing at the All England Club. This recent run includes the two biggest titles of the American’s career and a win over No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Gauff and Swiatek could meet in the quarterfinals next week.
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