Coco Gauff Beats Sofia Kenin in Australian Open First Spherical

Coco Gauff doesn’t want a cape to unleash her interior superhero.

In a conflict of Grand Slam champions, Gauff powered previous Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-3 in her Australian Open opener to proceed a commanding begin to the season.

Sporting a physique swimsuit costume impressed by Marvel superheroes, Gauff sputtered on serve early then soared to her tenth straight victory into the Australian Open second spherical.

“It was a troublesome match for me right this moment,” Gauff instructed Laura Robson in her on-court interview. “I knew getting in it was going to be tough. I’m pleased with how I performed.

“I might have perhaps served second serves higher, however on that aspect I used to be struggling to see the ball. So I’m simply comfortable I used to be in a position to handle via that right this moment.”

Squinting into the excessive afternoon solar at instances, Gauff belted 12 aces in opposition to 9 double faults however gained simply 6 of twenty-two second-serve factors.

Working with coach Matt Daly, Gauff has solidified her western-grip forehand and lowered the double faults which have typically plagued her prior to now. As soon as she constructed a one-set lead right this moment, Gauff largely relaxed on serve successful 12 of her first 15 factors on serve within the second set.

Since falling to compatriot Emma Navarro within the US Open fourth spherical final September, Gauff has gained 19 of her final 21 matches, together with capturing Beijing and WTA Finals championships and incomes MVP honors on the United Cup earlier this month.

Whereas Gauff credited her “superhero” impressed New Steadiness package, she revealed the outfit has its challenges, like making an attempt to extract herself from it to make use of the lavatory.

“Loads of the feminine superheroes have cool reduce outs on their outfits, that’s what I needed to do,” Gauff mentioned. “It’s truly form of a ache to get into as a result of it’s a physique swimsuit guys so I’ve to place the underside half first after which pull it over my head it’s form of a battle in the event you can’t maintain your bladder its additionally not a good suggestion however it’s important to sacrifice for vogue.

“The skirt I wish to put on cargo pants so we made like a cargo skirt my footwear are impressed by basketball footwear as a result of that’s the type my dad needed me to put however I’m glad I selected tennis.”

Bettering her 2025 report to 6-0, Gauff will face 25-year-old Briton Jodie Burrage for a third-round spot. Gauff blasted Burrage 6-1, 6-1 of their lone prior assembly on the 2023 Eastbourne spherical of 16.

Former world No. 4 Kenin conquered Gauff within the spherical of 16 en path to her maiden main championship on the 2020 Australian Open.

Kenin carried a 2-1 profession report in opposition to Gauff into this match, which included her 2023 Wimbledon first-round upset of the Delray Seaside-born baseliner.

Gauff thumped a bounce smash working via a close to eight-minute maintain that noticed her save a break level to open the match.

Shifting fluidly, Gauff stretched the courtroom and displaced Kenin at instances breaking instantly for a 2-0 lead.

Struggling within the face of the solar, Gauff dedicated 4 double faults in her first two service video games as Kenin coaxed an errant forehand to interrupt again within the third sport.

That’s when Gauff cleaned up her sport and created separation with a three-game surge.

The WTA Finals champion spun her eighth ace out broad ending the 44-minute opening set in type. It wasn’t pristine play on both aspect—Gauff dedicated 19 errors, together with six double faults—however the third seed gained 4 of the ultimate 5 video games within the set constructing a one-set lead.

Centering her returns with menacing depth, Gauff typically compelled Kenin to counter off her again foot early in rallies. A targeted Gauff stamped a love break for a 2-1 second-set lead.

Former French Open finalist Kenin maybe ought to have examined Gauff’s weaker forehand wing extra diligently. When Kenin challenged the backhand, Gauff leaned in and bolted a backhand bolt down the road—her sixth backhand winner of the second set—holding for 5-3.

On this present day, Gauff’s depth, fast courtroom protection and punishing return sport proved an excessive amount of for her compatriot.