Coco Gauff started her 2026 season on the right foot, cruising past Solana Sierra in straight sets to get the United Cup campaign underway.
Gauff looked calm throughout, finishing off the match with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 win over Sierra.
With the American team trailing after Taylor Fritz’s surprise defeat to Sebastien Baez in the first match, Gauff’s win was vital to keep their title defence alive.
The American has yet to lift an Australian Open trophy, but she’ll be hoping this strong start is a sign of things to come this year.
Before then, she’ll take part in the ‘One-point Slam’ – a million-dollar event hosted under the lights at Rod Laver Arena.
Coco Gauff shares thoughts on the One Point Slam
The One Point Slam, scheduled for January 14, will feature 22 professionals and 10 amateurs, with each match decided by a single point. The winner of the tournament takes home $1 million.
Gauff was recently added to the field, joining a lineup that already includes Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Speaking after Team USA’s United Cup opener, Gauff was asked about the event. She admitted she wasn’t exactly looking forward to it but understood its appeal.
A reporter followed up by noting how busy the week before Grand Slams has become:
“It was fun last year. In general, curious before a slam, the week before a slam, it becomes this big thing now where they’re three-week events,” they said.
“As a player and for you as well, Christian [Harrison], do you like that? Now you go the week before, and there are crowds everywhere, and people are watching you. It’s not that quiet experience that you’ve had in the past.”
Gauff explained: “Yeah, I mean, I think especially it gets you in the mindset like being ready. Also I think it’s great for the sport to have these different things going on,” Gauff told reporters in Australia.
“Yeah, The One Point [Slam], we’ll see how I do. I’m not very confident in myself. But yeah I think it’s great just promotes more of like tennis just more fun side of tennis.”
Top names set to appear in the One Point Slam
On top of Gauff, Alcaraz, and Sinner, the tournament will include several other big names in tennis.
Naomi Osaka and Daniil Medvedev have signed up, along with Zheng Qinwen. Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked fifth in the world, and Jasmine Paolini, currently eighth, are also in the field.
Nick Kyrgios has accepted a wildcard invitation. The Australian is joined by Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti and Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek is currently competing at the United Cup in Australia, which runs until January 11th.
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