Coco Gauff Opens Australian Open with Steady First-Round Win

Summary:

• Coco Gauff beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3 to reach the second round in Melbourne.
• Her serve wavered at times, but her baseline game and defense carried her through.
• Gauff will face Olga Danilovic next as she continues her push for a first Australian Open title.

Coco Gauff’s 2026 Australian Open campaign began with a calm, controlled win that said more about her maturity than the scoreline.

The third seed moved into the second round with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova on Rod Laver Arena, handling the opening-round nerves well enough to keep the match from ever getting away from her.

“I Just Want to Win the Tournament”

It was not flawless, especially on serve, but it was comfortable, and at this stage of a major, that is often all that matters.

From the back of the court, Gauff apepared to be the better player, defending with ease, and waiting for the right moments to step inside the baseline and take control.

On the other hand, Rakhimova struggled to hurt her consistently, and once rallies settled in, the outcome felt predictable. After the match, Gauff spoke openly about how her mindset has changed when it comes to early rounds at grand slams.

I have lost in first rounds before and I’ve always been able to pick it up so I try not to put so much pressure on myself in the first rounds. I think at this point, I just want to win the tournament. So whether I lose first round or in the final, I think that will be as satisfying. So, until then, it’s OK.

Turbulent Last Few Months

That perspective has been shaped by a turbulent few months. Last season, the 21-year-old made the bold decision to overhaul her serve midway through the year after it began to break down under pressure.

The problems grew serious enough that she parted ways with coach Matt Daly and brought in biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan just before the US Open. Since then, she has been rebuilding the motion and trying to make it hold up in match situations.

The warning signs were there early in Melbourne. Gauff’s first point on Rod Laver Arena this year ended with a serve into the net during the One Point Slam. When her opening service game against Rakhimova arrived, it included three double faults and dragged on far longer than she would have liked.

Still, she found a way through, as, even when the serve wobbled, Gauff leaned on the rest of her game. Her backhand held firm, her forehand looked more reliable, and her variety kept Rakhimova guessing.

When she failed to serve out the match, there was no panic. She immediately broke serve for the sixth time and closed it out.

Up next, auff will face Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in the second round on Wednesday. Danilovic earned her place with a win over Venus Williams, setting up an intriguing next test as Gauff continues her push for a first Australian Open title.