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
