Gauff and Medvedev through to second round in Melbourne

Coco Gauff and three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev reached the Australian Open second round Monday ahead of a defiant Novak Djokovic launching his latest bid to win a record 25th Grand Slam crown.

A bumper day two at the season-opening Grand Slam also sees six-time major winner Iga Swiatek, home hope Alex de Minaur and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova enter the fray.

But the tournament is over for seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime who retired from his opening match with cramp.

Gauff came through against Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova on center court 6-2, 6-3, but was less than convincing, with seven double faults and 31 unforced errors.

"I tried not to put too much pressure on myself," the American said. "I am only satisfied if I win, but I am proud of myself regardless of how I get on."

Her reward is a clash next with Venus Williams' conqueror Olga Danilovic.

Gauff last year beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open for her second major crown, but her best performance on the Melbourne hardcourts was a semi-final in 2024.

While she progressed, 2020 winner Sofia Kenin crashed out 6-3, 6-2 to fellow American Peyton Stearns as temperatures soared past 30 degrees Celsius and fans again faced long queues to get into Melbourne Park.

Canada's Auger-Aliassime was another casualty, calling for the trainer while down 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Portugal's Nuno Borges and pulling out.

"I want to be on the court competing with my opponent," said Auger-Aliassime. "I don't want to be just standing there, you know, like a punching bag."

Russia's 11th-seeded Medvedev, runner-up in 2021, 2022 and 2024, warmed up for Melbourne with victory in Brisbane and ground out a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) opening win over Dutchman Jesper de Jong after twice being broken when serving for the match.

"The most important is to win," he said. Men's 13th seed Andrey Rublev also progressed, but women's 15th seed Emma Navarro tumbled out.

Serbian great Djokovic, 38, faces Spain's 71st-ranked Pedro Martinez in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena. A former world number one, now ranked four, Djokovic is the undisputed king of Melbourne, having won a record 10 Australian Open crowns. He owns 24 major titles, equal for the most ever with Australia's Margaret Court, but a 25th has remained agonizingly out of reach.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE