Coco Gauff battles past Sofia Kenin to advance to Australian Open second round
Coco Gauff, aged 20, is optimistic that her challenging first-round match against former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, 26, will serve her well for the remainder of the tournament.
As the third seed, Gauff faced a rigorous test from the 2020 champion Kenin under the intense sun on Rod Laver Arena, yet she managed to extend her impressive winning streak with a 6-3, 6-3 victory, advancing to the second round.
"Honestly, when I saw the draw, I thought it was not an ideal first round. She is one of those players who can deliver exceptional tennis," Gauff remarked.
"However, I focus on the positives; if you can get through a match like that, it sets a tone for maintaining a high level throughout the tournament." Gauff, who led the United States to victory in the United Cup in Sydney at the start of her season, faced challenges from both the bright conditions and her own mistakes during a tricky first set, which she ultimately won with an ace after 44 minutes.
Kenin, who had previously defeated Gauff on her way to the title five years ago, displayed a mix of strong and inconsistent play, keeping the match competitive in the second set. However, she lost momentum after failing to break back to level at 4-4.
Gauff seized the opportunity to break her fellow American for the fourth time in the match, clinching her 10th consecutive singles victory when Kenin sent a wayward forehand well beyond the sidelines.
"It was a challenging match for me today, but I am pleased with my performance. I could have served better, but visibility was an issue at one end," Gauff stated, noting that she recorded 12 aces alongside nine double faults during the match.
"I struggled to see from that side, and she did as well. I served better," she added during her press conference.
Gauff made headlines when she achieved her Grand Slam breakthrough as a 15-year-old qualifier at Wimbledon in 2019, reaching the fourth round after defeating Venus Williams in straight sets.
The American number one believes she has evolved into a more composed player and reflected on her earlier, unrestrained confidence.
"Honestly, I think I possess not less confidence now, but back then, I was almost, in a way, delusional," she recalled.
Gauff has established herself as a Grand Slam champion following her victory at the 2023 US Open; however, her most notable achievement in Melbourne remains her semi-final defeat to the eventual champion, Aryna Sabalenka, in the previous year.
In her upcoming match, she will compete against Jodie Burrage in the second round, with the British player expressing her intention to challenge the world number three.
"It's an opportunity for me to play freely," Burrage remarked. "I consider myself a significant underdog. I aim to see what I can achieve and assess my level against one of the top players in the world at this moment."
SportsLigue