As world No.2 Iga Swiatek opened her quest for a career grand slam with a tough 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 win over Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue on Monday, Gauff needed 99 minutes and two attempts at serving out her 6-2 6-3 victory over the 93rd-ranked Rakhimova.
The world No.3 and reigning French Open champion coughed up seven double-faults in another unconvincing serving display from the superstar American in setting up a second-round date with Serbian Olga Danilovic.
Coco gets it done 😤— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2026The world No.3 scores her 75th Grand Slam main draw win 💫 pic.twitter.com/X1DomPmuGf
But after enduring early exits from Melbourne Park in 2021 and 2022, the two-time grand slam winner was happy enough to pass her first test this campaign.
"Well, I lost a couple of first rounds (here) before and I've always been able to pick it up, so I try not to put so much pressure on myself at the first round," Gauff said.
"At this point, I just want to win the tournament so whether I lose first round or in the finals, I don't think I would be as satisfied.
"Winning is the only satisfying result."
World No. 4 Amanda Anisimova secured a 6-3 6-2 win over Swiss player Simona Waltert in just one hour.
The 24-year-old is coming off a breakthrough season, after winning two WTA 1000 titles and reaching two grand slam finals.
The 2025 Wimbledon and US Open runner-up is aiming to surpass her best Australian Open performance to date, a fourth-round appearance two years ago.
"It's been a great year and I am riding some confidence and there were a lot of great moments (last year)," Anisimova said.
"It's a new tournament and I am taking it one match at a time and enjoying every single moment."
World No.6 Jessica Pegula also cruised through her first-round match against Russian Anastasia Zakharov, taking just over an hour to post a 6-2 6-1 victory at John Cain Arena.
Pegula appeared refreshed after a commanding win, bouncing back from an abrupt semi-final loss to Marta Kostyuk at the Brisbane International, where she managed to win only three games.
The 2024 US Open finalist has now progressed past the first round in Melbourne for a sixth consecutive time in her career.
"When those (matches) come around, you just take it. It's an ideal situation," Pegula said.
"When you get a good win and play well, you have to be happy about, take it and move on."
In other matches, world No.68 Peyton Stearns upset US compatriot and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-2.
While Stearns rejoiced, Kenin's exit continued her horror run since beating Ash Barty in the semi-finals six years ago, then Garbine Muguruza in the title match.
The 27-year-old, who was seeded 27th this campaign, has won just one match in Melbourne since.
World No.2 Iga Swiatek and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova are other big names in action on Monday.
After helping Poland to United Cup glory, Swiatek shifts her focus to completing the final leg of a career grand slam in Melbourne.
The former world No.1 takes on China's Yuan Yue in the women's night match on Rod Laver Arena.
Anisimova plays Swiss Simona Waltert and Pegula meets Russian Anastasia Zakharova.
19°C