Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula dedicated their Australian Open first-round wins to Los Angeles and the firefighters who have been tackling the devastating wildfires.

Third seed Gauff, one of the favourites for the title in Melbourne, beat compatriot and 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-3.

Gauff wrote “stay strong LA, thank you firefighters” on the camera lens after her victory.

She and Taylor Fritz have previously donated to a charity effort to help those affected.

Seventh seed Pegula wrote “LA” and drew a love heart on the lens after her dominant 6-3 6-0 victory over Australian wildcard Maya Joint.

Poland’s world number two Iga Swiatek earlier signed “sending my love to Malibu and LA”.

The five-time Grand Slam champion began her Australian Open campaign with a 6-3 6-4 win over Czech Katarina Siniakova.

The fires, which began on 7 January, are being marked as the most destructive in the city’s history.

The LA County medical examiner said on Sunday that 24 people have died in the fires, while at least another 16 remain missing.

Donna Vekic, who is coached by American Pam Shriver, also sent a message to the city after her first-round win on Sunday.

Shriver has stayed behind in LA to help her family.