Australian Open 2025: In-Form Gauff Remains Unbeaten Down Under

Coco Gauff, Australian Open
Coco Gauff (photo: Tennis Australia/Vince Caligiuri)

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 13, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)

Coco Gauff, one of three Americans in the WTA Top 10, is the best-known of the 19 U.S. women who are competing in the Australian Open singles draw – and, arguably, the most feared on the tennis court. She’s been nearly unbeatable since losing to fellow American and current World No. 8 Emma Navarro in the fourth round of last summer’s US Open. Her only other blemish occurred in the semifinal round at Wuhan, where she lost a tough three-setter to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. During her winning streak, she’s beaten Sabalenka and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek.

The World No. 3 from Florida arrived at the Australian Open in Melbourne in-form and fresh from leading the United States to the 2025 United Cup title in Sydney earlier this month. Gauff was unbeaten in her five singles matches – winning all of them in straight sets – and two mixed doubles tussles with Taylor Fritz. Before that, she won the WTA Finals title in Riyadh in November.

As the 20-year-old Gauff took court on Rod Laver Arena Monday afternoon under sunny skies to open her AO campaign against fellow American and familiar foe Sofia Kenin, winner of the 2020 Australian Open title, she had won 18 of her last 20 matches since last September. Gauff, who sported a snazzy, Marvel-inspired bodysuit and skirt by New Balance, has her sights set on winning another hard-court major to go with her 2023 US Open title.

Gauff came into her fourth career meeting with the 26-year-old Kenin with an 18-3 win-loss record in first-round matches at Grand Slams, including 4-1 at the AO. She had won 10 of her last 11 first-round matches with her only loss during that stretch occurring at Wimbledon in 2023 against Kenin.

As it happened, Gauff defeated Kenin, 6-3, 6-3, in an hour and 20 minutes to improve to 6-0 on the young 2025 season – and it was her 10th straight triumph. Unveiling a new service motion, Gauff overcame nine double faults by hitting 12 aces and 28 winners. She won 77 percent of her first-serve points, converted four of nine break-point opportunities and outpointed Kenin 75-59. When opportunity came knocking, Gauff was there at the ready. It all added up to another satisfying win and it advanced her to the second round against 173rd-ranked Jodie Burrage of Great Britain, who was first off the court on Day 2 after defeating Leolia Jeanjean of France, 6-2, 6-4.

Afterward, during her on-court interview with Laura Robson, Gauff was eager to talk about her Australian Open fashion. “I’m a huge Marvel fan,” she said. “A lot of female super heroes have cut outs on their outfits. That’s what I wanted to do. It’s kind of a pain to get into. You have to sacrifice for fashion.”

On the subject of her win, Gauff said: “It was a tough match for me today. I knew going in it was going to be difficult. I’m happy with how I played. I could have maybe served some second serves better but I’m happy with how I managed today.”

Michelsen takes out Tsitsipas in opening round

Alex Michelsen delivered the first knock-out blow in the men’s draw Monday afternoon. The 42nd-ranked American from California upset No. 11 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, in two hours and 43 minutes on John Cain Arena to move into the second round.

“I tried to stay super composed; I knew it would be a battle and I’m super happy to get through,” Michelsen said during his on-court interview. “It’s all about the mindset. I came in with the proper mindset and executed the game plan.”

Michelsen overcame 13 aces and 45 winners by Tsitsipas to deliver a confident and composed performance of his own. It included hitting 46 winners and converting five of 12 break points. He outpointed Tsitsipas 122-118. Next, Michelsen will play 258th-ranked Australian wild card James McCabe, who defeated 142nd-ranked qualifier Martin Landaluce of Spain, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Around the Australian Open

• On Sunday evening, 26-year-old qualifier Hady Habib of Lebanon continued his historic run at the Australian Open when he defeated Bu Yunchaokete of China, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (6), in his main-draw debut to become the first Lebanese player to win a Grand Slam main draw singles match in the Open Era.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” the Texas-born Lebanese American Habib told Reem Abulleil of the Arab News. Last week, Habib won three qualifying draw matches to earn a main draw berth.

“I achieved my first goal, which was to qualify, and now I’m in the second round. It just feels like I need to wake up from a dream. Everything’s been happening so fast. And then I’m in Round 2 of the Aussie Open, and I just can’t believe it right now. I’m lost for words,” he said.

Habib had plenty of supporters in the Court 13 stands cheering for him, including his cousins who flew to Melbourne from Sydney.

The 26-year-old added: “I’m so grateful for their support. I think the Lebanese community, I sort of brought everyone together, and it was really special to win in front of them. Every time I’m playing, there’s a larger and larger crowd. So yeah, it’s just been amazing.”

• Among the early Monday results: Men’s 23rd seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile was upset by No. 57 Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (1). On the women’s side, No. 12 seed Diana Shnaider of Russia defeated No. 56 Elisabeth Cocciaretto of Italy, 7-6 (4), 6-4; No. 23 Magdalena Frech of Poland beat No. 57 Polina Kudermetova of Russia, 6-4, 6-4; No. 25 seed Liudmila Samsonova eliminated fellow Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, ranked 62nd, 6-2, 6-4, and No. 28 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeated No. 71 Sorana Cirstea of Romania, 6-4, 6-4.

Monday’s Australian Open results

Tuesday’s Australian Open order of play

By the numbers

• Jannik Sinner entered this year’s AO on a 15-match winning streak. He’s not lost a match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Beijing Open final in October. He has won his last 13 matches in straight sets.

• Although she has won only one of her last seven singles matches at the Australian Open, overall No. 46 Katerina Siniakova is appearing in her 42nd Grand Slam main draw appearance, and 40th consecutive Slam appearance. She is also ranked No. 1 in doubles and is seeded first, along with American Taylor Townsend.

“Quotable …”

“It’s a very difficult situation for [Pam]. She’s home in LA. Her house is okay for now, but so many have lost everything, and it’s a horrible situation.

“We were doing our pre-season in LA this year, so we were just there two weeks ago. So I really cannot believe what’s happening. We are very sad that she’s not here with us.”

– No. 18 seed Donna Vekic of Croatia, during her post-match news conference Sunday, speaking about one of her coaches, Pam Shriver, who is back in Los Angeles dealing with the wildfire tragedy that has struck the area this past week.

 

 

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