Coco Gauff has convincingly booked her place in the second round of the 2026 Australian Open, having opened her campaign with a straight-sets win against Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova. Her next task is a duel with Serbia’s Olga Danilović, who devastated American tennis fans on Sunday by beating Venus Williams.
Coco Gauff Shows Promising Signs in Australian Open Opener After Venus Williams Falters
Gauff began her journey in Melbourne after some noteworthy performances at the United Cup, beating the likes of Iga Świątek, Maria Sakkari, and Solana Sierra, without dropping a set. Her solitary defeat came in three sets against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
At the Australian Open, the American drew Rakhimova as her first opponent. After a solid first set, where she allowed her opponent just two games, Gauff seemed poised to replicate the success in the second. She, however, faltered while serving for the match, gifting her opponent one break of serve before returning the favor. The American eventually closed out the match with a 6-2, 6-3 score in one hour and 40 minutes.
When the draw for the Melbourne Major was released, fans tingled with excitement at the prospect of Gauff facing her idol, Venus Williams, in the second round. The dreams for a third match between them, however, came crashing down when Williams’ opponent, Danilovic, denied her the win on Sunday, despite trailing 0-4 in the final set.
Williams, a two-time finalist at the Australian Open, accepted a wild card to compete in the main draw. She started her run by edging out Danilović in the opening set tiebreak. In the second set, the American’s opponent firmly responded to the challenge to force a decider.
Although Williams secured two breaks in the third set, she failed to keep pace with Danilović, eventually squandering her lead. The 24-year-old Serb won six games in a row to book her place in the second round, with a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 score.
MORE: Venus Williams Has Shattered Fans After ‘One of the Most Gutting Matches Ever’ at Australian Open
“These things don’t happen every day. Playing against Venus Williams is something I cannot take for granted. There were a lot of nerves. At 4-0, I just said to myself, ‘Okay, just play. Take everything out and just play point by point.’ I’m happy I managed to get this one. But it was such a pleasure playing against such a legend,” Danilović said after the intense battle.
“Playing against her isn’t something I can take for granted” 🤝
Olga Danilović on the honour of sharing the court with Venus Williams 🤩
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Williams created Australian Open history on Sunday as the oldest player in the Open Era to compete in singles. The 45-year-old isn’t done with her campaign Down Under, though. Having partnered with Ekaterina Alexandrova, she begins her women’s doubles run against Elsa Jacquemot and Emiliana Arango on Tuesday.
Coco Gauff Believes Australian Open Match Against Venus Williams’ Conqueror Will Be ‘Tough’
With Williams’ defeat, Gauff is set to face Danilović for a spot in the final 32. The pair have never faced off before. According to PFSN’s exclusive simulator, the American presents a solid 86% chance at making the third round.
Despite the favorable prediction, however, Gauff is cautious of her opponent, given her record in the previous edition. Danilović made the fourth round in 2025, beating Arantxa Rus, Liudmila Samsonova, and Jessica Pegula.
“Olga’s a great player; she’s beat some top players, especially at this tournament. It’s going to be a tough match, but I’m looking forward to it,” she said after her opening match.
The 21-year-old also made it abundantly clear that she has set her sights on a third Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
“I lost a couple of first rounds before and I’ve always been able to pick it up, so I try not to put so much pressure on myself in the first round. At this point, I just want to win the tournament, so whether I lose in the first round or in the finals, I don’t think I’ll be as satisfied. So until then I’m okay,” she said.
Gauff’s best result at the Australian Open so far has been a semifinal run in 2024. In 2025, she suffered a quarterfinal exit. She would look to go all the way this time around for a second hardcourt Major after the 2023 US Open.
