Swiatek and Gauff advance to the second round of the Australian Open

Photo : Reuters

Iga Swiatek, who is ranked second in the world, won her first match at the Australian Open on Monday. She beat Katerina Siniakova 6-3, 6-4 in a match that wasn’t easy for her. Swiatek couldn’t play at her usual best, but she still managed to win. Siniakova, who is known for playing doubles, gave her a tough time.

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Swiatek said, “It wasn’t an easy first match, so I’m happy I won.” She noticed that Siniakova was playing well, and Swiatek knew she had to play more aggressively. In the end, she did and won the match.

Many Polish fans cheered for Swiatek, as they always do when she plays in Melbourne. She thanked them for their support and also mentioned that she listened to loud rock music before the match to get ready.

Swiatek might become number one again if Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff lose early in the tournament. However, Swiatek’s main goal is to win her first Australian Open title. She has already won the French Open four times and the U.S. Open once. Her best result at the Australian Open was when she lost in the semi-finals in 2022. In the second round, Swiatek will play Rebecca Sramkova from Slovakia.

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff, who is ranked third, also won her first match. She beat former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-3. Gauff said her match with Kenin was tough, but she won it in straight sets. Gauff has been winning a lot lately and continues to play well.

Gauff, now 20 years old, first became famous in 2019 when she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon as a 15-year-old. Looking back, she says she was very confident but didn’t fully understand how hard it would be to win a Grand Slam.

Now, Gauff is a Grand Slam champion after winning the U.S. Open in 2023. Her best performance at the Australian Open was a semi-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka last year. In her next match, Gauff will play Jodie Burrage. Burrage, from the UK, is excited to play against one of the best players in the world and says it’s a great chance for her. “I’m an underdog, but I’ll give it my best and see how I do,” Burrage said.