Coco Gauff of the United States hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
MELBOURNE, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- World No. 3 Coco Gauff opened her Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets win over Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday.
Starting day two on a sun-baked Rod Laver Arena, the American moved around the court with trademark speed in her 6-2, 6-3 victory in one hour and 39 minutes.
"At this point, I just want to win the tournament, so if I lose in the first round or in the final I don't think I would be satisfied," Gauff said.
Gauff, a two-time grand slam champion, broke in the opening game but was then made to work by world No. 93 Rakhimova.
The French Open champion raised the intensity in the second set and struck several clean winners as she closed out the match.
The 21-year-old reached the semifinals at last year's Australian Open and could face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka if she makes a similar run this year.
Gauff will next play Serbia's Olga Danilovic, who advanced after a three-set first-round win over 45-year-old wildcard Venus Williams. ■
Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Coco Gauff of the United States at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States serves during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Coco Gauff of the United States at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States hits a return during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts during the women's singles 1st round match against Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
