The seventh-ranked 18-year-old from Florida easily took home the first set 6–1.
The second set was a much more even story, where the 46th-ranked Siniakova played herself.
Several fine ball duels got the premiere crowd going in the half-full arena.
When the Czech appeared to have the set in her grasp with a 4-2 lead, the American broke serve and the Czech slammed her racket into her bag in frustration.
Gauff then maintained command and dropped no more games, winning the second set 6–4 – although the final game became a dramatic, drawn-out story with several saved match points.
- I am very pleased with myself.
Katerina is a fighter, I knew she would fight until the last ball and she showed that today, says Gauff.
Meet Emma Raducanu
In the next round, she meets another rising star, 20-year-old British Emma Raducanu, who broke through with a bang in 2021 when she won the US Open.
Raducanu knocked out German Tamara Korpatsch 6–3, 6–2.
- I've obviously seen her play, especially during her US Open turn.
As a really aggressive player, she likes to go for the rebounds, says Gauff and continues:
- I think it's a good match for both of us.
I look forward to it.