MELBOURNE, Jan 19 – Coco Gauff embarks on her quest for a first Australian Open title with a commanding victory in the opening round, while Canadian player Felix Auger-Aliassime faced an unexpected exit due to cramping on a sweltering day at Melbourne Park.
Following record attendance on the tournament’s opening day, fans returned in droves as local favorite Alex de Minaur advanced to the second round. A trio of former finalists also made their mark, including Daniil Medvedev, while high-seeded American players Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula both advanced smoothly into the next round.
During the day session, Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam champion, lived up to her top billing, delivering a 6-2 6-3 triumph over Kamilla Rakhimova at Rod Laver Arena. Despite her history of serving double faults—431 in 2025 alone—she only hit seven during the match. Gauff was briefly broken while serving for the match but maintained her momentum to set up a second-round showdown against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, who surprisingly eliminated Venus Williams.
Rakhimova’s switch to compete for Uzbekistan after leaving Russia last December, following the invasion of Ukraine, caught Gauff’s attention. The American noted her surprise on discovering the change, highlighting the trend of players switching nationalities amid the ongoing geopolitical changes affecting sports.
In contrast, Auger-Aliassime, who had shown promise in the prior year with deep runs in Grand Slams, found himself retiring from his match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges after trailing 3-6 6-4 6-4. Expressing his frustration, he emphasized his desire for competitive play rather than being a mere participant. His departure might have been a relief to Medvedev, who sought redemption after experiencing three consecutive first-round exits. Medvedev secured a solid victory over Jesper de Jong, winning 7-5 6-2 7-6(2), and will face Quentin Halys next.
De Minaur’s path shifted when his original opponent, Matteo Berrettini, withdrew, allowing him to comfortably defeat Mackenzie McDonald 6-2 6-3 6-3. On the women’s side, Anisimova and Pegula both registered straightforward wins, reinforcing their status as formidable contenders.
As the tournament progresses, the Australian Open continues to offer thrilling matches and unexpected twists, with emerging stories of perseverance and transition on display, leaving fans eager for more excitement in the coming rounds.