Day 5 of the 2025 US Open Women’s Singles at Flushing Meadows, New York, delivered a captivating blend of grit, upsets, and anticipation as the world’s top tennis stars continued their quest for Grand Slam glory. With second-round matches wrapping up and coveted third-round spots on the line, fans were treated to high-stakes drama, breakout performances, and a few tense moments—both on and off the court.
One of the most eagerly anticipated clashes was the evening showdown between No. 3 seed Coco Gauff and Croatia’s Donna Vekic. Scheduled for 7:00 PM ET under the lights at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, this matchup had all the makings of a classic. Gauff, already a crowd favorite and boasting 18 career wins in New York, entered the contest with a 31-12 record in 2025 and one tournament title to her name. Yet, her opening round was anything but routine—she racked up a staggering 59 unforced errors and 10 double faults, needing three sets to get past Ajla Tomljanovic. "Gauff had to work hard in her opener, racking up 59 unforced errors and 10 double faults before pulling through in three sets," noted one analyst, highlighting the American’s struggle for consistency.
Donna Vekic, ranked 49th and holding an 11-17 record for the year, also battled through her first-round match, steadying herself when it mattered most. Vekic’s track record against top-10 opponents since April 2024 was less than stellar at 3-9, but one of those three wins came against none other than Gauff on the clay courts of Paris. As the experts weighed in, the consensus was clear: the outcome would hinge on which player could tidy up their game first. "With both searching for cleaner tennis, this could hinge on who tidies things up first," observed Ilemona, one of several pundits forecasting a Gauff win—though opinions varied on whether it would take two or three sets.
For Gauff, the stakes were especially high. The 21-year-old has not been eliminated before the second round in New York since 2021, and the raucous home crowd was expected to play its part. As Tope put it, "The American with a rapturous crowd behind her should make it through." But with Vekic’s powerful hitting and history of trading wins with Gauff, nothing was guaranteed. The betting odds reflected this intrigue, with Vekic listed at -752 and Gauff at +475, suggesting the bookmakers favored the American but weren’t ruling out an upset. Fans eager to catch the action could stream the match live on ESPN+, FuboTV, or DirecTV Stream, with a variety of subscription options available.
Elsewhere, the women’s draw saw a blend of expected results and surprise twists. Russian No. 29 seed Anna Kalinskaya continued her impressive run, matching her best-ever performance at the US Open by dispatching Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 7-5 in the second round. The victory not only boosted Kalinskaya’s confidence but also her bank account, adding $83,000 to her prize money for a total of $237,000 so far. If she advances further, she stands to pocket even more. The win also gave Kalinskaya a 1-0 lead in her head-to-head record against Putintseva and set up a third-round clash with the formidable Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion and 2022 US Open winner, endured a scare of her own in her second-round match against world No. 66 Suzan Lamens. Swiatek breezed through the first set 6-1 but wobbled in the second, dropping it 4-6 as frustration mounted. "It wasn't an easy match and I made some mistakes. I'm happy that at the end I could be more proactive," Swiatek admitted on court after her two-hour, six-minute battle. She finished strong in the third set, taking it 6-4 and booking her spot in the next round. Swiatek’s win extended her streak of 14 successive sets at Grand Slam events before today’s hiccup, and she’ll need to be sharper against Kalinskaya, who’s shown she can handle the big stage in New York.
The day’s schedule was packed, with matches starting as early as 11:00 AM ET. Maria Sakkari, seeded 64th, faced Anna Bondar in a contest that pitted Sakkari’s hard-court prowess against Bondar’s clay-court pedigree. Sakkari came out on top, winning 6-3, 6-1 and reinforcing her status as a player to watch as the tournament progresses. Other notable results included victories by Wang Xinyu, Emma Raducanu, and Barbora Krejcikova, each advancing to keep their US Open dreams alive.
For fans following the action from home, the tournament offered a variety of streaming options. FuboTV and DirecTV Stream both provided free trials, while ESPN+ continued its exclusive coverage of live matches and behind-the-scenes content. The accessibility of the broadcast meant that even those unable to snag a coveted seat at Arthur Ashe Stadium could experience the electric atmosphere and high drama of tennis’s final Grand Slam of the year.
Looking ahead, the women’s draw remains wide open. Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Barbora Krejcikova, and Emma Navarro are among the favorites to lift the trophy, with odds reflecting their strong form and recent results. Yet, as the early rounds have shown, nothing is certain at the US Open—especially with rising stars, seasoned veterans, and hungry underdogs all in the mix.
Day 5 wrapped up with anticipation swirling around the Gauff-Vekic matchup, a contest that promised fireworks and perhaps a few more surprises. With third-round berths on the line and the world’s tennis elite vying for supremacy, the US Open continues to deliver the kind of drama and excitement that keeps fans coming back year after year. As the tournament moves forward, all eyes remain fixed on Flushing Meadows, where history is made with every serve, rally, and decisive point.
