In Melbourne, Australia, Coco Gauff began her Australian Open campaign on January 18, 2026, against Kamilla Rakhimova. Despite experiencing significant serving issues, Gauff managed to secure a victory with a score of 6-2, 6-3, which allowed her to progress to the second round. The match saw Gauff struggle with her serve, resulting in six double faults during the opening set. However, she regained her composure in the subsequent set, making only one double fault. Gauff’s performance came off a year where she had a notably high number of double faults, totaling 431 throughout the WTA Tour season, which was more than any other player. In her post-match comments, Gauff reflected on her serving struggles, attributing some of the mishaps to the sun conditions on the court. She expressed that it was merely the first set and acknowledged the challenges both she and Rakhimova faced. The third seed, Gauff, demonstrated resilience throughout the match, especially after her early serving woes let her opponent level the first set at 5-5. Gauff's ability to stabilize her performance and focus after an early letdown proved crucial for her advancement in the tournament. She is set to face left-handed Olga Danilovic in the next round. Meanwhile, the women’s draw saw other notable results. Fourth seed Amanda Anisimova and sixth seed Jessica Pegula also advanced, while former champion Sofia Kenin experienced another first-round exit, marking her fifth consecutive early elimination at the Australian Open. The event in Melbourne is known for its high-pressure environment and unexpected outcomes, which highlighted the fierce competition among the participants as they pursue glory at one of tennis's most prestigious tournaments.