Coco cuckoo for New York crowd

Coco Gauff needs the New York crowd.

On the first day of the U.S. Open, with the first Flushing Meadows crowd in two years, Louis Armstrong Stadium brewed with the possibility of a big upset as twilight descended.

But spurred on by her home crowd, the American teenage sensation Gauff rallied from a set down and 0-2 in the second set to defeat Poland’s Magda Linette 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in first-round action Monday night.

Gauff admitted to an emotional moment as thousands cheered uproariously across the two-hour, 40-minute match, including Nets head coach Steve Nash — who was out of his seat applauding after match point.

“You guys really, really, really helped me,’’ Gauff said. “It almost brings me to tears. I miss playing in front of this crowd. The support means a lot. Definitely is an experience that I’ll never forget. Every time I go out there, I’m just reminded how much I love playing in front of the crowd.’’

Gauff has been a fan favorite at the Open since she burst onto the scene in 2018 at age 15. Last year at the fanless Open, Gauff said she enjoyed the solitude of walking around the empty grounds. But on the day of the match, she couldn’t stand the barren stands. She lost in the second round.

“I just remember like last year not necessarily being bored, but it was just so quiet for the U.S. Open,’’ Gauff said. “I definitely missed the buzz.’’

The buzz will be on Wednesday when Gauff, seeded No. 21, faces fellow American and former Open champion Sloane Stephens, who beat Madison Keys in a three-setter.