MELBOURNE, Australia – American tennis sensation Coco Gauff kicked off her Australian Open campaign with a commanding performance on Rod Laver Arena, defeating Uzbekistan’s Kamila Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets to book her spot in the second round. The match, lasting one hour and 39 minutes, showcased Gauff’s resilience despite some serving inconsistencies.
Gauff notched her 75th career Grand Slam match win, improving her first-round record in majors to an impressive 23-4. Though she committed seven double faults, her sharp returns, court coverage, and unwavering consistency overwhelmed Rakhimova. In the opening set, Rakhimova fought back valiantly, saving three set points at 2-5, but Gauff sealed it with a powerful serve.
The second set saw Rakhimova attempt a comeback using lobs and drop shots, earning crowd support, yet Gauff’s baseline dominance proved too much. She surged to a 5-1 lead, weathered a brief rally sparked by her own errors, and clinched the match with her sixth break of serve. This victory signals Gauff’s serious intent to claim the Australian Open title.
Post-match, Gauff revealed she avoided self-imposed pressure in the opener, focusing solely on the tournament win. She credited her strong returning game for constant break opportunities. Next up is a clash with left-handed Serbian Olga Danilovic, who stunned seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams in three sets in the first round.
Gauff’s path looks promising as she builds momentum early in Melbourne, blending power and precision in pursuit of glory Down Under.