Coco Gauff advanced to the Round of 32 at WTA Indian Wells with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Kamilla Rakhimova on March 6, 2026. Despite serving 10 double faults — a glaring weak spot in an otherwise composed performance — Gauff’s superior first-serve consistency (69% vs 56%) and ruthless break-point conversion carried her through a tight second set that required a tiebreak to settle.
The American broke through early in the first set and never truly looked comfortable on serve, yet managed to fend off five of Rakhimova’s 13 break point opportunities. The second set turned into a tense affair, with both players trading breaks before Gauff pulled away in the tiebreak, sealing the match on her fourth match point. She converted just seven of 20 break chances overall — a testament to Rakhimova’s resistance — but won nine more total points (83-74) to earn her passage into the next round.
Key Takeaways
- Gauff’s 10 double faults nearly derailed her progress, but she crucially won 62% of first-serve points when she landed the ball in play.
- Rakhimova converted just 5 of 13 break point chances (38%), failing to capitalize on Gauff’s serving woes when opportunities arose.
- The second serve became a battleground: Gauff won only 22% of second-serve points compared to Rakhimova’s 39%, highlighting a vulnerability the Russian couldn’t fully exploit.
- Gauff’s 7-for-20 break point conversion (35%) was inefficient, but the sheer volume of opportunities created — 20 total — reflected her ability to apply relentless pressure on the Rakhimova serve.
Player Analysis
Coco Gauff
Gauff’s first-round performance was a study in contrasts — dominant when the first serve landed (62% of points won), yet alarmingly fragile on second deliveries (22%). The 10 double faults tell the story of a player battling her own mechanics more than her opponent. Still, her return game remained elite: she manufactured 20 break point chances and converted seven, enough to offset her service struggles. The ability to win ugly matters in early-round matches, and Gauff showed veteran composure in the second-set tiebreak when precision finally mattered most.
Kamilla Rakhimova
Rakhimova matched Gauff’s intensity for long stretches but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow when handed 13 break point opportunities. Converting just five of those chances — and winning only 50% of points behind her already inconsistent first serve (56%) — left too much margin for error against a player of Gauff’s caliber. The Russian’s 39% second-serve winning percentage actually bettered Gauff’s dismal 22%, yet she won nine fewer total points across the match. Rakhimova proved competitive but lacked the clinical edge required to pull off the upset when the second set hung in the balance.
Match Statistics
| Coco Gauff | Stat | Kamilla Rakhimova |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Aces | 1 |
| 10 | Double Faults | 3 |
| 69% | 1st Serve % | 56% |
| 62% | 1st Serve Points Won | 50% |
| 22% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 39% |
| 7/20 | Break Points Won | 5/13 |
| 83 | Total Points Won | 74 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova at WTA Indian Wells 2026?
Coco Gauff defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 7-6(5) in the Round of 64 at WTA Indian Wells on March 6, 2026.
How many double faults did Coco Gauff hit against Kamilla Rakhimova?
Gauff served 10 double faults during the match, compared to just 3 for Rakhimova, yet still managed to secure the victory in straight sets.
Who won the WTA Indian Wells Round of 64 match between Gauff and Rakhimova?
Coco Gauff won the match 6-3, 7-6(5), advancing to the Round of 32 at the 2026 WTA Indian Wells tournament.
What was Coco Gauff’s first serve percentage against Rakhimova at Indian Wells?
Gauff landed 69% of her first serves and won 62% of those points, significantly outperforming Rakhimova’s 56% first-serve percentage and 50% points won.
What’s Next
Gauff advances to the Round of 32 at Indian Wells, where she will look to clean up her serve before facing a higher-seeded opponent in the California desert.
Follow all results: WTA Indian Wells 2026.
Head-to-head history: Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova.
