MELBOURNE, Australia — Third-seeded Coco Gauff had sufficient class and energy to defeat Kamila Rakimova 6-2, 6-3 within the first spherical of the Australian Open on Monday, regardless of some acquainted struggles along with her serve.
Gauff is a two-time Grand Slam champion however has by no means made it previous the semi-finals at Melbourne Park. Final 12 months, they misplaced within the quarterfinals.
The American has struggled with double faults, and in 2025 he hit 431, by far probably the most of any participant on the WTA Tour. No different participant had greater than 300 hits. Gauff had six within the first set in opposition to Rahimova, however just one within the second.
“So it was simply the primary set,” Gauff mentioned. “We solely had one double, the second. I feel we each struggled on the far aspect. The solar is correct there. Day by day we play right here, we all know each first time we play, that is simply the way in which it’s.”
“However as soon as I obtained by means of like the primary sport, I hit about three doubles within the first sport. And as soon as I obtained over that sport, I imply, it was just about clean crusing from there. I most likely would have appreciated to have gotten extra first serves on the court docket, for certain.”
Gauff, 21, has been training her serve in current months and did extra throughout a break from her match in opposition to Rahimova, 24, at Rod Laver Area.
Gauff will face left-handed Olga Danilovic within the second spherical. Danilovic, additionally 24, defeated 45-year-old Venus Williams within the first spherical on Sunday, ending any likelihood the 2 Individuals would meet.
“There aren’t many (left-handed gamers) on tour, however Olga is a good participant. She’s overwhelmed some high gamers, so it’ll be a troublesome match,” Gauff mentioned.
In different matches, No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, who was runner-up previously two tournaments, defeated Simona Woltert 6-3, 6-2, No. 6 Jessica Pegula defeated Anastasia Zakharova 6-2, 6-1, and No. 14 Clara Thorson defeated Dalma Galfi 6-3, 6-3.
Sofia Kenin’s current poor run on the Australian Open continued as she misplaced to fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-2.
Kenin, the twenty seventh seed, was a shock winner right here in 2020. Nonetheless, they’ve struggled at Melbourne Park since then, shedding within the first spherical 5 occasions in a row.
Stearns hit 15 aces and just one double fault, advancing to the second spherical in 1 hour and 14 minutes. She is going to subsequent face Croatia’s Petra Marcinko.
Priscilla Hong additionally secured her house nation’s second-round berth at a serious match for the primary time in six years, serving to her opponent Marina Stakšić depart the court docket in a wheelchair when she collapsed with extreme leg cramps late within the Canadian qualifying match.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
