Coco Gauff started her tournament in Melbourne in a confident manner, beating the ex-winner of the Australian Open, Sofia Kenin, 6-3, 6-3, in the first round. The 2023 US Open champion showed her steel and accuracy after a rather shaky beginning in the scorching heat of Rod Laver Arena.
This win further cements Gauff’s brilliant run in the year so far. The 20-year-old star had only lost once in 2025, and he led the United States to victory at the United Cup just last week. She has everything going into the Australian Open, including her form and confidence. She rose to get through the first Australian Open match win and solidified her stance as a force to reckon with.
Coco Gauff handled herself perfectly in the opening round against Sofia Kenin. She committed 32 unforced errors and made nine double faults, but the World No. 3 countered this by combining aggressive play that saw her make 28 winners. The 2020 Australian Open champion did not give up without a fight, but she converted just one out of six break-point chances. However, Gauff was the favorite of the two players, and all her endless energy and great strategies were too much for the compatriot to handle.
It is gradually becoming tradition that Gauff usually plays her best tennis in the early rounds of Grand Slam tournaments. This win means that in her last 12 slams, she has passed the Grand Slam’s first hurdle, illustrating her growing maturity to challenge for major titles at her earliest opportunity. Her next opponent is Jodie Burrage, a 173-ranked British player.
Coco Gauff starts this year’s Australian Open with all the momentum a player can have after coming off a dominating 2024 season. She ended the previous season on a winning note by claiming titles at the China Open and WTA Tour Finals, putting her on the list of serious contenders. Alcaraz particularly shined at the United Cup, where she triumphed against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets and proved she is ready to compete against the best players.
The American’s semifinal performance at Melbourne Park in 2024, in which she fell short to the champion Aryna Sabalenka, gives her the incentive. In the same half of the current tournament year, Gauff may meet with Sabalenka in an intriguing semifinal match. Her current form promises to ascend to the world’s number one position soon.
There is a new person in Coco Gauff’s corner that has greatly helped her come back. While the experiment with long-time coach Brad Gilbert did not work out, leaving the tournament that year at the US Open, the World No.3 replaced him with Matt Daly. This fresh perspective seems to have brought new energy to Gauff as she returned as a better decision-maker and someone with improved tactical sense when on the tennis court.
It was important because, looking at her, she has come a long way since that 15-year-old Wimbledon sensation in 2019. She is now a much calmer and more composed player due to her change in mindset and her team’s handling of the sport’s pressures.
Coco Gauff has made her intentions clear at the Australian Open after scoring a straight-set win in the first round. As young and energetic with increasing experience, she still proves why she is among the most intelligent personalities in tennis. With her advancing through the championship rounds, audiences and critics in English expect her to have that magical year at Melbourne Park. For more fearless sports coverage, visit Stadium Rant.
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