Coco Gauff news, Sofia Kenin, exclusive Mark Petchey tennis opinion

MELBOURNE: Mark Petchey has labelled Coco Gauff the best athlete in the history of women's tennis as the American prodigy stormed into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

Gauff, the third seed, cruised past 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena.

The 20-year-old made the semi-finals in Melbourne last year and won the 2023 US Open in her only grand slam win to date.

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Coco Gauff of the United States in action against Sofia Kenin. Getty

"Listen, there will be people that say Steffi Graf is, there'll be people that say Martina Navratilova is the best athlete in the women's game. For me it's Coco," Stan Sport analyst Petchey said on Grand Slam Daily.

"I just look at the way that she moves on the court. She is so balanced, she never guesses with her footwork, she's always there.

"When I look at the Achilles heel that she had, before she won the US Open, with the forehand and the serve - I know it's better this season and the back end of last season.

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"The fact she was able to win a major with those weaknesses in her game was the reason that I made that point, that she is the best athlete. She was able to mask those weaknesses by being such a great mover. She was awesome at the United Cup.

"I mean, not only did she look confident, but she just looked so assured in the way that she wanted to play. She looks in prime position to win in Australia. She's walking taller."

Gauff won the title at the WTA Finals last November and started this season by helping the US to victory at the United Cup last week, a run that gives her a chance to move atop the rankings.

Coco Gauff of the United States at Melbourne Park. Getty

She is wearing a Marvel-inspired bodysuit and skirt at Melbourne Park and she's radiating confidence and calm.

"I knew going in it was going to be difficult, but you know I'm happy with how I played," she said of the 80 minute win over Kenin, who at No.81 in the world is a much tougher opponent than her ranking suggests.

"I mean I could serve better, but like on that side I was struggling to see the ball," Gauff said, pointing to one baseline on the main show court that was bathed in sun.

"So I'm just happy that I was able to manage through that."

Gauff went into her opening round on a streak of winning 33 matches against players ranked outside the top 50, dating back to a loss to Kenin at Wimbledon in 2023.

It was tough going early, with Gauff converting an early break before Kenin got back on serve at 2-2, hitting deep ground strokes and getting good bounce off the hard court.

But Gauff, who had five aces and four double faults in her first two service games, lifted her tempo, started taking the ball earlier and won four of the next five games.

She finished the match with 12 aces and nine double faults, and saved seven of the eight break points she faced.

She also had 28 winners, including two rifling backhands on key points in the second set, and 13 unforced errors.

Gauff will next play Jodie Burrage of Great Britain.

- with AP

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