Coco Gauff began her Australian Open campaign with a convincing straight-set victory over Sofia Kenin, winning 6-3, 6-3 and successfully avoiding a repeat of her disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon in 2023. The world No. 3 had previously faced Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, in a first-round match at Wimbledon, where she suffered a crushing defeat that Gauff later described as one of the lowest points of her career.
In their rematch on Monday, Gauff showcased her dominance on the court, breaking Kenin’s serve twice in each set. The 20-year-old American displayed her powerful game, hitting 12 aces and accumulating 28 winners, while Kenin struggled with her consistency, racking up 28 unforced errors compared to just 14 winners. With this victory, Gauff advances to the second round, where she will face world No. 173 Jodie Burrage, who earned her spot by defeating Leolia Jeanjean in the first round. Gauff previously defeated Burrage in their only encounter at the Eastbourne grass courts in 2023.
Despite her strong performance, Gauff acknowledged the challenges of the match, emphasizing that it was not as straightforward as the score suggests. “It was a tough match for me today. I knew going in it was going to be difficult, but I’m happy with how I played. I maybe could’ve served some second serves better… and I’m just happy I was able to manage today,” she remarked during her on-court interview. Starting off her Australian Open campaign with a solid win over Kenin is particularly significant for Gauff, considering the weight of her past experience at Wimbledon.
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