Coco Gauff got her clay season off to a good start by beating Liudmila Samsonova in the first round of the Stuttgart Open.

The American came through 7-5, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals at the WTA 500 event, as she prepares for her Roland Garros title defence later this year.

Gauff won her second major at last year’s French Open, capping off a strong run on clay.

She also reached the finals in both Madrid and Rome before defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in Paris.

Statistically, clay is Gauff‘s best surface, with a career win-rate of 75%, and the 22-year-old has started well on the dirt in 2026.

Coco Gauff shares thoughts after Stuttgart Open victory

Speaking after her win over Samsonova, Gauff told reporters: “Yeah, I mean, I started off a little bit rough, had some break point opportunities in the first game, but yeah, happy to get through today.

“I never really have easy first-round matches here in Stuttgart, so I guess the trend continued a little bit today, but yeah, I’m happy to be in the next round.”

When asked about who she looks up to on clay courts, Gauff said: “I mean, the greatest clay court player is Rafa, but I don’t quite play like him. But I do try to hit my forehand like he does on clay.

“I don’t run around as much because my forehand isn’t as good as Rafa’s. But I try to hit like him. So I guess him. And then it’s just me and him.

“I don’t know. Like a Walmart version of Rafa. Not a lesser version of Rafa.”

Coco Gauff ready for Karolina Muchova challenge in Stuttgart

Gauff will now face Karolina Muchova, holding a 6-0 lead in their WTA head-to-head record.

Even with that dominant record, Gauff isn’t underestimating the challenge she’ll face against the Czech player.

She told reporters: “I mean, it’s pro sports. Anybody can win on any day. I mean, obviously, you take what you did well in the last matches and try to do it again, but like I said, anything can happen.

“She’s a great player. She’s a great clay court player too, so yeah, I don’t take any of those matches into account. I just try to focus on what goals I have for tomorrow, and hopefully I can come out with a win.”

Gauff is looking to pick up her first title of the season in Stuttgart and add to her career total of 11 trophies.

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