The Australian Open gathered momentum on January 19 as several leading contenders safely negotiated the opening round, while early exits and physical struggles underlined the unforgiving nature of the season’s first Grand Slam. Coco Gauff and Daniil Medvedev booked their places in the second round, setting the tone for a blockbuster day that also precedes Novak Djokovic’s latest attempt at history in Melbourne.
Gauff, seeded third, moved past Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova with a 6-2, 6-3 victory on Rod Laver Arena, though the American admitted her performance was far from flawless. Seven double faults and a high unforced error count reflected an uneven outing, but the reigning French Open champion was content to progress.
“I tried not to put too much pressure on myself,” Gauff said. “At the end of the day, winning is what matters.”
The 20-year-old will next face Olga Danilovic, who recently eliminated Venus Williams. Gauff, who lifted her second major title at Roland Garros last year, is still seeking her breakthrough run in Melbourne, where her best showing remains a semifinal appearance in 2024.
While Gauff advanced, the tournament came to an abrupt end for former champion Sofia Kenin. The 2020 winner was comprehensively beaten 6-3, 6-2 by fellow American Peyton Stearns in hot conditions that again tested players and spectators alike.
Elsewhere, fourth seed Amanda Anisimova made an emphatic start to her campaign with a straight-sets win over Switzerland’s Simona Waltert, while sixth seed Jessica Pegula cruised past Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova. Australia’s Alex De Minaur also advanced comfortably, giving home fans reason to cheer.
Second seed Iga Swiatek also enters the draw on Tuesday, continuing her pursuit of a career Grand Slam. The Pole, who faces China’s Yuan Yue, has yet to progress beyond the semifinals at the Australian Open.
Veteran Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, is also in action after receiving a wildcard for what is expected to be his final appearance at Melbourne Park. As the tournament settles into its rhythm, early drama and high expectations suggest the fortnight ahead will be anything but predictable.
