Coco Gauff avenges Doha loss to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in Miami Coco Gauff overcame a slow start and a previous defeat to Elisabetta Cocciaretto in Doha, securing a hard-fought victory in the first round of the Miami Open. The No. 4 seed rallied from a set down to defeat the Italian, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, at Hard Rock Stadium. Gauff’s win marked her first victory against Cocciaretto since their match in Qatar, where she had fallen in straight sets. “I didn’t win the last time we played, so I just wanted to overcome that feeling,” Gauff said after the match. “It’s been a tough week, but it made me realize how much I love this sport and playing it. Even though it’s tough, I enjoy the ups and downs through the journey.” Gauff’s path to the Miami Open included a mid-match injury at the BNP Paribas Open, where she retired down a set and a break to Alexandra Eala. Despite lingering discomfort, she expressed optimism about her health ahead of the tournament. “I may feel it sometimes on court, but I definitely feel it less and less every day,” she said during her Media Day press conference. Cocciaretto, a world No. 44, had previously reached the quarterfinals in Doha after defeating Gauff. The Italian started strongly in Miami, forcing Gauff to adjust to her aggressive style of play. However, Gauff gradually adapted, improving her consistency and first-serve percentage while winning 63% of points on her first serves. Despite struggling with her serve and forehand throughout the season—she ended the match with 11 double faults—Gauff steadied herself in the final set. Down a break early in the decider, she mounted a comeback, winning four consecutive games to clinch the victory in just over two hours.#alexandra_eala #miami_open #coco_gauff #hard_rock_stadium #elisabetta_cocciaretto
Coco Gauff adjusts to Cocciaretto’s tempo, closes it in three at the Miami Open Coco Gauff returned to competition after a shortened Indian Wells tournament, where she had to retire against Alexandra Eala due to an arm injury. Initially uncertain about her readiness for the Miami Open, Gauff expressed confidence in her ability to compete, noting that her symptoms had improved over time. Playing on home soil at the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz, she overcame a slow start to defeat Elisabetta Cocciaretto in three sets at Hard Rock Stadium. The match faced delays due to rain, marking the second disruption in three days, but Gauff managed to recover from a difficult opening set. Despite struggling to find rhythm against Cocciaretto’s early timing, she regrouped and secured a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Her performance included 11 double faults but showcased steadiness in key moments, with a 63% success rate on service points. While the match saw close margins in winners and unforced errors, Gauff’s ability to manage critical points proved decisive. Gauff’s win marked her 103rd career Tier I/WTA 1000 match victory before turning 23, tying her with Caroline Wozniacki for the second-most in this category among early-career performers. The achievement highlights her growing reputation as a top-tier player, with her resilience and adaptability evident in her recovery from injury and her tactical adjustments during the match. Reflecting on the victory, Gauff emphasized her determination to overcome past setbacks, including a previous loss to Cocciaretto. She described Cocciaretto’s early ball-striking as challenging to react to, but her ability to adjust to the opponent’s tempo allowed her to control longer rallies.#miami_open #coco_gauff #hard_rock_stadium #elisabetta_cocciaretto #wta_tour_driven_by_mercedes_benz
WTA Miami Day 4 Predictions Highlight Key Matchups The fourth day of the WTA Miami tournament features a high-profile lineup of matches, with several top-ranked players set to compete. Among the standout encounters is Amanda Anisimova’s opening match against Ajla Tomljanovic. Other notable matches include Coco Gauff facing Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Aryna Sabalenka taking on Ann Li, Elena Rybakina versus Yulia Putintseva, Jessica Pegula against Francesca Jones, Naomi Osaka’s clash with Talia Gibson, and Madison Keys’ showdown with Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Detailed predictions for these matches are outlined below. Maria Sakkari is expected to face Alycia Parks, a matchup with a clear head-to-head history. Parks holds a 1-0 advantage over Sakkari, but the Greek player’s return game will be critical in countering Parks’ powerful serve. While Sakkari’s performance this season has been inconsistent, her return game has shown strong potential in 2026. Parks, who recently ended a four-match losing streak, is anticipated to put up a strong fight, but Sakkari’s experience and adaptability may give her the edge. The prediction leans toward Sakkari securing a victory in three sets. Jelena Ostapenko’s match against Dayana Yastremska presents a unique challenge. Ostapenko’s aggressive, ultra-attacking style will test Yastremska, who is not naturally adept at redirecting pace. Despite Ostapenko’s fluctuating performance levels, her ability to adjust to different opponents makes her a formidable threat. With Yastremska’s limitations in handling high-pace rallies, Ostapenko is favored to advance, likely in two sets. Elina Svitolina’s encounter with Emerson Jones will be a test of endurance.#coco_gauff #amanda_anisimova #wta_miami #ajla_tomljanovic #elisabetta_cocciaretto
Miami Open Draw Features Home Hopes and Rising Contenders The Miami Open’s draw is packed with compelling storylines, from Aryna Sabalenka’s pursuit of a rare back-to-back Indian Wells-Miami title sweep to Elena Rybakina’s bid to break through in South Florida. The tournament, part of the season’s second Sunshine Swing, offers a mix of top seeds, rising stars, and homegrown hopes across its bracket. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, enters the event as the top seed, aiming to become the fifth woman in history to win both the Indian Wells and Miami WTA 1000 events in the same season. Her path includes a potential clash with No. 15 seed Madison Keys, who defeated her in last year’s Australian Open final. A key early-round matchup will feature Keys against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic, a rising talent who reached the Dubai quarterfinals and advanced two rounds at Indian Wells. Ruzic could pose a threat to Keys in the second round. Other top seeds include Coco Gauff (No. 4) and Amanda Anisimova (No. 6), both Florida natives seeking their first Miami quarterfinal appearance. Gauff, a former semifinalist, faces a challenging path, while Anisimova aims to avoid a fourth career head-to-head meeting with Gauff. The bottom half of the draw also features Maria Sakkari, an unseeded player with a strong history in the tournament. Rybakina, the 2023 and 2024 Miami runner-up, returns to the event after a dramatic loss to Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final. She faces a tough section of the draw, including a potential third-round clash with No. 27 seed Marta Kostyuk and possible fourth-round matches against Osaka or Iva Jovic. Her path could lead to a final-eight showdown with No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, whom she has defeated in previous tournaments. The draw also highlights several underdog stories.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #coco_gauff #elena_rybakina #amanda_anisimova
Give Venus Williams Her Flowers, Just Not a Wild Card Venus Williams is one of the greatest tennis players in history. Her career includes seven Grand Slam singles titles, four Olympic gold medals, and a legacy that reshaped the sport’s commercial and cultural landscape. She has endured challenges like Sjögren’s syndrome, outlasted rivals, and maintained relevance for over three decades. When she steps onto a court, history accompanies her. Yet, her current standing in the rankings—World No. 517—and her 0-5 record in 2026 raise questions about the purpose of wild card entries. Despite her past achievements, the decision to grant her a wild card for the Miami Open has sparked debate about the role of such invitations in modern tennis. Wild cards are intended to provide opportunities to players who lack high rankings but have valid reasons for inclusion. These reasons typically fall into three categories: a young player with exceptional potential needing exposure, a player returning from injury requiring competitive matches to rebuild their ranking, or a local draw that boosts a tournament’s commercial appeal. Venus does not fit any of these criteria. She is not a rising star, her physical limitations are not temporary, and while her name draws attention, the Miami Open already features top-tier players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. The tournament’s draw is already competitive, making her inclusion unnecessary. The argument for Venus’s wild card is often rooted in sentiment rather than merit. Supporters cite her history at the Miami Open, where she won titles in 1998, 1999, and 2001, and her status as a local favorite. However, wild cards are meant to serve competitive purposes, not ceremonial ones.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #iga_swiatek #coco_gauff #venus_williams
Coco Gauff retires against Alexandra Eala at Indian Wells after left arm felt "like a firework was going off" Coco Gauff was forced to retire from her match against Alexandra Eala at the Indian Wells tournament on March 9, 2026, due to severe pain in her left arm. The world No. 4 described the injury as feeling "like a firework was going off," a metaphor that underscored the intensity of the discomfort she experienced during the match. This marked only the second time in her career that Gauff had to abandon a tour-level match, highlighting the severity of the issue. The incident occurred during the second set of their encounter, with Eala maintaining a strong performance throughout the match. Despite Gauff’s efforts to push through the pain, the injury ultimately forced her to withdraw. Eala, who was making her Indian Wells debut, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the event, stating, “I’m really, really grateful” for the chance to showcase her skills on the tournament’s courts. Gauff’s retirement came just days after she faced challenges with her serve, a recurring issue that has plagued her performance in recent months. Analysts have speculated that the combination of physical strain and technical difficulties may have contributed to her inability to continue. The incident also added to the growing list of injuries affecting top-tier players ahead of the 2026 season. Eala’s victory over Gauff was a significant moment in her career, as it marked her first win at a WTA 1000 event. The 18-year-old Filipino player, who had previously reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 US Open, demonstrated composure and resilience in the face of a high-profile opponent.#indian_wells #alexandra_eala #wta_1000 #coco_gauff #2026_season
Eala thanks Gauff, her mom in International Women's Day tribute Alexandra Eala expressed her gratitude to Coco Gauff and her mother following her third-round victory at the Indian Wells tournament. During her on-court interview, she extended her appreciation to "all the incredible women who have paved the way," highlighting the importance of female role models in sports. Eala’s win over Gauff, who retired with a left arm injury in the second set, marked a significant moment in her career. The Filipina player, currently ranked No. 32 in the PIF WTA Rankings, dedicated her success to the women who have inspired her, including Gauff. "I want to say thank you to all the incredible women who have paved the way, who have advocated for themselves and for other women," Eala said, receiving enthusiastic support from the crowd. She specifically acknowledged Gauff as an "amazing competitor and amazing role model," expressing hope for her recovery. Eala also thanked her mother for her unwavering support, calling her "the amazing woman that she is" and emphasizing her role in shaping Eala’s identity. "I want to thank her for being the amazing woman that she is, and for helping me become the woman that I am. And that goes to all mothers," she added. Gauff, reflecting on her retirement during the match, expressed regret over the decision, which she described as difficult. She emphasized her desire to ensure Eala’s progress to the fourth round was not overshadowed by her withdrawal. "I felt really bad to pull out. You never want to pull out, but more so for her because she was playing great tennis," Gauff said. Eala’s journey to the Round of 16 included a first-round bye, followed by victories over Dayana Yastremska and Gauff.#indian_wells_tournament #alexandra_eala #coco_gauff #linda_noskova #pif_wta_rankings
Alex Eala reaches Indian Wells Round of 16 as Coco Gauff retires Alex Eala advanced to the Round of 16 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden after defeating world No. 4 Coco Gauff in straight sets, forcing the American to retire due to physical discomfort. The 20-year-old Filipina player secured a 6-2, 6-0 victory on Monday, marking a significant milestone in her career. The win comes just weeks after Gauff had previously defeated Eala in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships quarterfinals, adding context to the rivalry. The match began with both players struggling to establish rhythm, as serve holds were inconsistent in the early games. Eala, however, found her footing in the fourth game of the first set, breaking Gauff’s serve with a decisive rally. She then dominated the set with aggressive baseline play, breaking Gauff in all four of her service games. Eala’s ability to maintain composure during extended rallies was evident, as she capitalized on Gauff’s unforced errors, which totaled 26 for the American compared to just 12 for Eala. Gauff’s performance deteriorated as the match progressed, with visible signs of discomfort in her left arm. After Eala broke serve early in the second set to take a 2-0 lead, Gauff opted to retire, acknowledging the physical toll of the match. The decision highlighted the challenges faced by top-tier players in high-stakes tournaments. Eala’s victory improves her record against top-10 opponents to 4-3 and marks her second win over a top-10 player this season. She will now face 14th seed Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the Round of 16, continuing her strong run at the tournament. The result underscores Eala’s growing reputation as a formidable force in women’s tennis, capable of challenging established stars.#alex_eala #indian_wells_tennis_garden #coco_gauff #dubai_duty_free_tennis_championships #linda_noskova
Paolini's first win in Merida sends her to first quarterfinal of 2026 Italian tennis player Sara Paolini secured her first victory at the Merida Open, advancing to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the 2026 season. The win marked a significant milestone in her career, following a series of strong performances in the tournament. Paolini’s triumph came after a hard-fought match against Australian player Ash Barty, who had previously defeated her in the previous round. The victory not only boosted Paolini’s confidence but also positioned her as a formidable contender in the later stages of the event. Her run continued with a decisive win over fellow Australian Samantha Stosur, further solidifying her place in the quarterfinals. Paolini’s aggressive baseline play and consistent serve helped her overcome challenges in both matches, showcasing her growing maturity on the international stage. The 25-year-old player, who had previously struggled to maintain consistency in high-level tournaments, now appears to be on the cusp of a breakthrough season. The Merida Open, held in Mexico, has become a key event for players aiming to qualify for the prestigious Indian Wells Masters, one of the most important tournaments on the WTA calendar. Paolini’s progression to the quarterfinals has already drawn attention from fans and analysts, with many highlighting her potential to challenge top-ranked players in upcoming weeks. Her next opponent in the quarterfinals will be American star Coco Gauff, who has been dominant in recent weeks. Paolini’s success in Merida is part of a broader trend of rising talent in women’s tennis, with younger players increasingly challenging the traditional powerhouses. Her ability to adapt her game and maintain focus under pressure has been praised by coaches and peers alike.#coco_gauff #merida_open #sara_paolini #ash_barty #samantha_stosur
