Coco Gauff kicked off her Australian Open campaign with a straight-set 6-3 6-3 win over Sofia Kenin and made sure to avoid her 2023 Wimbledon fate.
A year and a half ago, the world No. 3 lost to the 2020 Australian Open champion in the Wimbledon first round.
Following that defeat, the 20-year-old was evidently crushed and later admitted that it was one of the lowest points of her career.
This Monday, Gauff and former world No. 4 Kenin met in a Grand Slam first round again.
But this time, the top-ranked American female tennis player had no issues handling the 26-year-old after claiming two breaks in each set.
Also, the No. 3 seed fired 12 aces and also had 28 winners.
On the other side, Kenin committed way more unforced errors (28) than she had winners (14).
Now, the third seed is set to meet next world No. 173 Jodie Burrage, who defeated Leolia Jeanjean in the first round.
In their previous and lone meeting, the American beat the Briton on the grass courts of Eastbourne in 2023.
What Gauff said after beating Kenin?
Although the 20-year-old had everything under control from start to finish, she insisted that it wasn't an easy day at the office and also added that she probably could have done some things better.
"It was a tough match for me today. I knew going in it was going to be difficult, but I'm happy with how I played. I maybe could've served some second serves better ... and I'm just happy I was able to manage today," the world No. 3 said in her on-court interview.
Going into the match, Gauff probably had in mind what happened at 2023 Wimbledon.
So starting off her Australian Open with a routine win over Kenin definitely means a lot to the 2023 US Open winner.
