NEW YORK — Teen sensation Cori “Coco” Gauff lived up to the hype surrounding her US Open debut on Tuesday, battling back to beat Anastasia Potapova 3-6 6-2 6-4 in a back-and-forth thriller.

The outlook appeared bleak for the 15-year-old American when she was broken to open the second set but Gauff broke back in the next game to seize the momentum and ultimately level up the contest in front of a supportive crowd.

But hard-hitting 18-year-old Potapova, despite needing medical attention to her shoulder, refused to go down without a fight and Gauff had to earn her place in the second round.

Gauff entered this year’s tournament amid high expectations after reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon earlier this year.

She next faces 26-year-old Timea Babos of Hungary in the second round at Flushing Meadows. — Reuters

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