Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 13, 2025 Coco Gauff of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. REUTERS/Edgar Su
MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Coco Gauff is hoping that coming through a tough first round clash with former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin on Monday will hold her in good stead for the rest of the tournament.
The third seed was given a solid workout by 2020 champion Kenin in blazing sunshine on Rod Laver Arena but extended her lengthy winning streak to reach the second round with a 6-3 6-3 victory.
"Honestly, when I saw the draw, I was like, it's not a great first round. She's one of those people that she can play great tennis," Gauff said.
"But, I just think of the positives of, if you get through that, then you kind of have a set the tone for having a high level throughout the tournament." Gauff, who led the United States to a United Cup triumph in Sydney to kick off her season, was troubled as much by the bright light and her own errors as Kenin's game in a tricky first set, which she won with an ace after 44 minutes.
Kenin, who beat Gauff on her way to the title five years ago, again blew hot and cold to keep things interesting in the second set but dropped her head after failing to break back for 4-4.
Gauff pounced to break her fellow American for a fourth time in the match and secured her 10th straight singles victory when Kenin sent a wild forehand well wide of the tramlines.
"It was a tough match for me today but I'm happy with how I played. I could have served better but I could hardly see at (one) end," said Gauff, who mixed 12 aces with nine double faults over the match.
"I couldn't see on that side, and she couldn't either. I served better," she added in her press conference.
Gauff famously made her Grand Slam breakthrough as a 15-year-old qualifier at Wimbledon in 2019 when she reached the fourth round after upsetting Venus Williams in straight sets.
Still only 20, the American number one believes she is now a far more measured player and marvelled at her unbridled confidence in those early days.
"Honestly now I think I have, not less confidence, but I think then I was almost, like, delusional," she recalled.
"I remember I had my run at Wimbledon, and I thought I was like a slam contender afterwards. Yeah, I think that's just what my mind was being a naive kid."
Gauff is now, of course, a Grand Slam champion having won the 2023 U.S. Open but her best performance in Melbourne was her semi-final loss to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka last year.
She will next face Jodie Burrage in the second round and the Briton promised to take the game to the world number three.
"It's a free swing for me," Burrage said. "I'm a proper underdog. See what I can do, see where my level is at with arguably one of the best players in the world right now."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
