The nine-time champion, Novak Djokovic persisted through his pain to oust the Frenchman 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-0 despite battling with his bandaged left leg.
Eighth-seeded Saina Mirza and Anna Danilina defeated the unseeded American-Hungarian team of Dalma Galfi and Bernarda Pera 6-2, 7-5 in 1 hour, and 17 minutes.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said that Indian politics needs more leaders like New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, after she announced stepping down from the top job no later than February 7.
Gauff won the match by a comfortable margin of 6-4, 7-6(4). She will be facing Bernarda Pera in her next, with the winner of the clash advancing to the pre-quarters stage of the tournament.
The visitors, riding on their recent success at the FIH Women's Nations Cup, have shown sublime form in this tournament. They opened the campaign with a 5-1 win and on Tuesday they showed the same intent as they began with a fine 9th-minute goal by Udita.
World No 2 Casper Ruud made a perfect start to his Australian Open campaign, defeating Czech Tomas Machac 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-3 to reach the second round in Melbourne with his eyes set at the top spot in the ATP rankings on Tuesday.