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US superstar Coco Gauff battles into Open second round
Darren Walton, AAP • January 19th, 2026 3:55 pm
Third seed Coco Gauff eased her way into the Australian Open second round in Melbourne | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Coco Gauff is giving herself a pass mark after safely moving into the Australian Open second round with a hard-earned two-set win over Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova.
The world No.3 and reigning French Open champion needed 99 minutes and two attempts at serving out a 6-2 6-3 victory over the 93rd-ranked Rakhimova in Monday's first match on Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff coughed up seven double-faults in another unconvincing serving display from the superstar American in setting up a second-round date with Serbian Olga Danilovic.
But after enduring early exits from Melbourne Park in 2021 and 2022, the two-time grand slam winner was happy enough to pass her first test this campaign.
"Well, I lost a couple of first rounds (here) before and I've always been able to pick it up, so I try not to put so much pressure on myself at the first round," Gauff said.
"At this point, I just want to win the tournament so whether I lose first round or in the finals, I don't think I would be as satisfied.
"Winning is the only satisfying result."
Former champion Sofia Kenin suffered a fifth consecutive first-round exit from Melbourne Park | Photo: AP
In other early matches, world No.68 Peyton Stearns upset US compatriot and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-2.
While Stearns rejoiced, Kenin's exit continued her horror run since beating Ash Barty in the semi-finals six years ago, then Garbine Muguruza in the title match.
The 27-year-old, who was seeded 27th this campaign, has won just one match in Melbourne since.
Peyton Stearns took out fellow American and 2020 champ Sofia Kenin in a major upset on day two | Photo: AP
World No.2 Iga Swiatek. fourth seed Amanda Anisimova and sixth seed Jessica Pegula are other big names in action on Monday.
After helping Poland to United Cup glory, Swiatek shifts her focus to completing the final leg of a career grand slam in Melbourne.
The former world No.1 takes on China's Yuan Yue in the women's night match on Rod Laver Arena.
Anisimova plays Swiss Simona Waltert and Pegula meets Russian Anastasia Zakharova.
