World No. 3 Coco Gauff opened her Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Starting day two on a sun-baked court, Gauff moved around with her trademark speed, winning 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 39 minutes.

“At this point, I just want to win the tournament, so if I lose in the first round or in the final I don’t think I would be satisfied,” Gauff said.

The two-time Grand Slam champion broke in the opening game but was then made to work by world No. 93 Rakhimova. Gauff raised the intensity in the second set and struck several clean winners as she closed out the match.

Gauff sets sights on deeper rounds

The 21-year-old reached the semifinals at last year’s Australian Open and could face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka if she makes a similar run this year.

Gauff will next play Serbia’s Olga Danilovic, who advanced after a three-set first-round win over 45-year-old wildcard Venus Williams. The matchup promises a challenging contest as Gauff looks to maintain momentum into the second round. [Xinhua]