Coco Gauff makes big statement of intent ahead of blockbuster Sofia Kenin clash to start Australian Open

Coco Gauff spoke about her first-round match against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin during her pre-tournament press conference in Melbourne on Friday (January 10). The American praised the former World No. 4 while maintaining that she was likely in for a tough outing.

Gauff enjoyed a good season on the WTA Tour last year, accumulating a 54-17 win/loss record and winning her first year-end championships in November. The World No. 3 will be eager to win her second Major title this month. Speaking to the media before her Australian Open campaign, she was asked about her thoughts on Kenin - her first-round opponent.

"I feel like I definitely am match-ready for that type, level that Sofia will bring," Coco Gauff said. "Yeah, for me, I obviously, I lost to her at Wimbledon. She's obviously a great player. She won this tournament.

I think she's a great mover, has great groundstrokes, pretty steady player, can play aggressive, also play really good defense. It's going to be a tough match."

Kenin enjoyed top-flight success at the beginning of this decade, winning the 2020 Australian Open and finishing runner-up at the 2020 French Open. Unfortunately, the American's career was marred by injuries and motivational issues in the following years, which led to her falling outside the top 250 women's singles rankings.

The former World No. 4 launched a comeback in 2023, going from being ranked 280th in January 2023 to as high as World No. 33 by December that year. She has struggled with her results since then, falling to a lowly World No. 81 position, but reached the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo last October, where she was denied by top-seeded Zheng Qinwen.

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Sofia Kenin leads Coco Gauff 2-1 in their head-to-head meetings on WTA Tour

Coco Gauff (L) and Sofia Kenin greet each other after their Wimbledon clash | Getty Images

Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff are all set to renew their rivalry at the Australian Open next week. The two Americans have played each other thrice on the women's pro tour. Although Kenin has a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head record, they haven't faced off in nearly two years.

The former World No. 4 defeated Gauff in their first-ever encounter at the 2020 Australian Open, beating her in the fourth round en route to the title. The then-teenager got the better of her three years later during her triumphant run at the ASB Classic.

The most recent meeting in the first round of 2023 Wimbledon was the first non-hardcourt match. Kenin, who qualified for the main draw, outlasted her higher-ranked opponent in three sets to reach the third round, where she lost to eventual semifinalist Elina Svitolina.