Sawt Falasteen - Ruthless Gauff 'sets tone' for Australian Open title bid

The world number three, who is unbeaten this year after leading the US to win the United Cup, eased past the 2020 Melbourne Park winner Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-3 in 80 minutes on a sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena.

Gauff said she was very satisfied with how she had handled a potentially tricky opening encounter against a gutsy fellow American.

"Honestly, when I saw the draw, I was, like, it's not a great first round," admitted Gauff.

"She's one of those people that can play great tennis. She's obviously won this tournament before.

"I just think of the positives of if you get through that, then you have set the tone for having a high level throughout the tournament."

The 2023 US Open champion said she had been troubled when serving by the fierce Melbourne sun that was almost directly overhead during a match that started at 11:30 am local time.

"It's kind of weird. On the first (serve) you can change your toss a little bit, and you go for more," said Gauff.

"But on the second it was a bit tougher. That was kind of right where the sun was.

"I think it's one of those things that I have to make a game-time decision and figure out how I want to tackle that."

Kenin, ranked 74th, did not go down without a fight but could only convert one of her six break-point opportunities and had no answer to Gauff's 28 winners.

Gauff will face 173rd-ranked Briton Jodie Burrage in round two.

Gauff has been on a scintillating run of form that has made her a major threat to double defending champion Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park.

The pair are drawn to meet in the semi-finals, which would be a repeat of their last-four encounter 12 months ago, when the Belarusian won in straight sets.

The 20-year-old Gauff finished 2024 with a flourish by winning the China Open and the season-ending WTA Tour Finals.

She took that form to Australia, winning all her singles matches at the United Cup including beating world number two Iga Swiatek in straight sets.

Gauff changed coaches in the autumn after her US Open defence fell flat, parting with Brad Gilbert and bringing in the little-known Matt Daly.

H.Darwish--SF-PST