The 2024 US Open continued on Wednesday with a strong selection of tennis stars, including Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic, battling for the title in Flushing Meadows.

After a tough first set, Gauff — the reigning US Open singles champion — defeated Tatjana Maria in straight sets to outlast the experienced German and advance to the third round. While Gauff was able to use her athleticism to her advantage, Maria made her work in the first set, forcing herself to go all the way around the court.

Gauff won the first game with relative ease, but quickly found himself 2-1 down after a strong effort from Maria. Gauff evened the score with a few strong games and eventually took a 5-3 lead after winning a long game with several tiebreakers. Maria capitalized on a few unforced errors to make it 5-4 and move within one game of Gauff’s lead. Gauff remained creative after that and gained the advantage with a tricky drop shot to the inside corner.

On set point, Gauff’s confidence seemed to waver and she lost her lead after another double fault, her seventh of the set. A long rally on break point was strangely interrupted by the electronic detection system, despite the ball being well inside the line, forcing Gauff and Maria to replay the point. Eventually, Gauff, visibly frustrated with her performance so far, was able to take the first set after Maria hit the ball into the net.

Gauff came out much stronger in the second set, winning the first three games quickly. Maria tried her best for the fourth, but Gauff was eventually able to take a 4-0 lead. Gauff, who had largely exhausted the 37-year-old Maria, won the next two games 6-4, 6-0.

Gauff also struggled with errors, making nine double faults and over 20 unforced errors (particularly in the first set) to complicate what should have been an easy win. In the end, however, Gauff managed to take the win.

The other highlight of the evening is reigning US Open singles champion Novak Djokovic, who takes on fellow countryman Laslo Djere.

In other major matches on the list, Americans Emma Navarro and Madison Keys both secured straight-sets wins to advance to the third round. On the men’s side, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe will face off in an all-American third round after both won in the second round.