2026 Australian Open: Coco Gauff cruises into second round with straight-sets victory

Coco Gauff coasted to the second round of the 2026 Australian Open at the Rod Laver Arena on Monday (19 January).

In a one-sided affair of tennis with the Melbourne sun beating down, the third seed cruised past Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

Rakhimova gave it a go against the world No. 3, but the agility and know-how of Gauff proved too much in the end.

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Gauff set the tone by taking the first point on offer before going on to take the game.

In the second game, however, it proved to be far from smooth sailing for Gauff. Consecutive double faults from the American invited pressure from Rakhimova, though she held firm to see out the near 10-minute exchange.

Rakhimova pulled a game back midway through the set before Gauff put her foot on the gas to extend her lead to 5-1. A relentless display from the Uzbekistani saw her continually peg back her US opponent, taking it to an eighth and eventual final game.

Gauff needed six set points to go up 1-0, a testament to Rakhimova’s resilience, but the second set would be marked by moments of magic from the 21-year-old.

Rakhimova looked to pave her way back by winning the first game. Much to her dismay, though, the two-time Grand Slam winner began to run away with it with some standout tennis.

Described in commentary as almost "wizardry", some excellent play at the net from both players brought out the best of Gauff.

With the roles reversed and Rakhimova serving in the final game of the match, Gauff broke to book her place in the next round.

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