Gauff Defeats Schmiedlova and Advances to the Second Round at Melbourne Park

American Coco Gauff, ranked fourth, defeated Slovak Anna Karolína Schmiedlová 6-3, 6-0 to advance to the second round of the Australian Open tennis tournament on Monday. In the first set, Gauff, the U.S. Open champion, exchanged breaks of serve with Schmiedlová until the American player managed to hold her serve and secure the set. Gauff, 19 years old, raised her level of play in the second set while Schmiedlová struggled with her serve, allowing Gauff to take a 3-0 lead, which prompted overwhelming support from the crowd at Rod Laver Arena. Gauff maintained her clear superiority and secured the victory with a stunning backhand, setting up a meeting in the next round with fellow American Caroline Dolehide.