In a display of clinical tennis, world number one contender Coco Gauff dismantled Kamila Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3 on Monday at the Australian Open, advancing effortlessly to round two after a 99-minute battle on Rod Laver Arena. The 19-year-old American celebrated her 75th Grand Slam victory, boasting a stellar 23-4 first-round record across majors.
Serving woes plagued Gauff with seven double faults, but her return prowess and tireless movement neutralized Rakhimova’s efforts. The Uzbek player mounted a gritty defense in set one, erasing set points to prolong the contest, only for Gauff’s composure to prevail. Transitioning to the second set, Rakhimova’s tactical lobs and slices briefly ignited hope and crowd cheers, but Gauff reset quickly.
Racing to 5-1, Gauff absorbed a momentary lapse from double faults and unforced errors that handed Rakhimova a game. Undeterred, she broke back immediately, securing the decider and underlining her championship pedigree. This result underscores Gauff’s title aspirations in Melbourne.
Reflecting afterward, Gauff emphasized playing pressure-free in round one, aiming straight for the trophy. Her return strength, she noted, creates breaks in nearly every service game. Facing qualifier Olga Danilovic next – fresh off upsetting Venus Williams – Gauff gears up for another test against the Serbian lefty’s unorthodox style.
As the tournament heats up, Gauff’s blend of athleticism and mental fortitude positions her as a top favorite.