Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova, AO 2026: American Clinches Spot In Round Two

Third-seeded Coco Gauff had some familiar struggles on serve but had still enough class and power to defeat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3 on Monday in a first-round match at the Australian Open. Gauff has won two Grand Slam titles but has never gone past the semifinals at Melbourne Park. She was knocked out in the quarterfinals last year. Gauff had six double faults in the first set against Rakhimova, and only one in the second set as she eventually found her range on serve. The American has struggled with double-faults and had 431 on the WTA Tour last year, by far the most of any player. No one else had more than 300.

Updated on: 19 January 2026 5:02 pm

Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova Australian Open tennis championship-1

Coco Gauff of the U.S. reacts after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova Australian Open tennis championship-2

Coco Gauff of the U.S. signs autographs after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan following their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova Australian Open tennis championship-3

Coco Gauff of the U.S. waves after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova Australian Open tennis championship-4

Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan reacts during her first round match against Coco Gauff of the U.S. at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova Australian Open tennis championship-5

Coco Gauff of the U.S. serves to Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff Vs Kamilla Rakhimova Australian Open tennis championship-6

Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan serves to Coco Gauff of the U.S. during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff of the U.S. plays a forehand return to Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila

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Coco Gauff of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Aaron Favila