Coco Gauff was tested in her opening match at the Indian Wells Open against Kamilla Rakhimova, but ultimately came through in straight sets.
Gauff took the first set 6-3 before being forced to a second-set tiebreak by the Russian-Uzbekistani star.
The American emerged triumphant in the shootout, taking it 7-5 to set up a third-round clash with Alex Eala.
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US stars got off to a relatively strong start in the first leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’, though teenage star Iva Jovic saw her campaign come to an abrupt end with an opening loss to Camila Osorio.
Following Gauff’s win, the two-time major champion had some kind words for Jovic despite her loss.
Coco Gauff discusses Iva Jovic and Jessica Pegula
“Iva is obviously doing great,” said Gauff in her post-match press conference.
“I think she’s a very solid player and is definitely going to continue to do damage on tour, for sure. Very nice girl off court too.
Gauff was also asked about her 32-year-old compatriot Jessica Pegula, who will get her Indian Wells run started against Donna Vekic.
She said of Pegula: “I think she just keeps getting better. You know, I think it’s very great to see someone maybe at her age continuing to peak.
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“Honestly, gives me a lot of inspiration too just knowing I hope I can have a career as good as hers when I’m later in, down the road.
“But no, I think what Jess did in Dubai was pretty incredible, especially that match against Amanda. She kind of looked like she was out of it and was able to come back and win that.
“Yeah, I think both of them are great people off the court, too, so they’re easy to root for. I think that’s why fans seem to support them a lot, too.”
Coco Gauff’s record against Iva Jovic and Jessica Pegula
Gauff has never faced Jovic on the WTA Tour before, but she has had several battles with Pegula over the years.
The two have gone toe-to-toe eight times at tour-level events, and Pegula leads the head-to-head with Gauff 5-3.
Their last meeting came in the group stage of the WTA Finals in Riyadh last year, where Pegula came out on top in three sets.
Gauff’s last win in the rivalry came in their match before that, the 2025 Wuhan Open final, which she won in straight sets.
Pegula and Gauff have faced off six times on hard court, twice on grass, but never on clay.
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