Coco Gauff continues to make strides in the Miami Open, advancing to the quarterfinals after a hard-fought three-set victory over Sorana Cirstea. The American, seeded fourth, will face 12th-seeded Belinda Bencic in the next round, marking her first appearance in the tournament’s last eight. Gauff’s aggressive net play was a standout element of her win, a strategy that has drawn praise from tennis legend Martina Navratilova. After her match, Gauff spoke with Tennis Channel about Navratilova’s feedback, which highlighted her net game. Navratilova, alongside commentator Chanda Rubin, praised Gauff’s volleys and encouraged her to emphasize net play more. Gauff acknowledged the advice, reflecting on how her approach at the net contributed to her success against Elina Svitolina in Dubai. She admitted there were moments during her recent match where she could have been more aggressive, noting her tendency to stay at the back of the court despite her speed. “I’m pretty quick forward and have a good overhead,” she said, emphasizing the need to remind herself to move closer to the net. Gauff’s confidence in her footwork and speed was also on display. When asked about her natural athleticism, she credited her quickness as a natural trait but stressed the importance of refining her footwork. “The main focus is on efficiency,” she explained, noting her progress since turning pro. She reiterated her belief in being the fastest player on the WTA Tour, vowing to maintain her speed while improving her movement. “The goal is to move more efficiently and effectively,” she said, underscoring her commitment to refining her game. Developing her net play remains a key focus for Gauff, especially as she works to address inconsistencies in her serve.#tennis_channel #coco_gauff #belinda_bencic #sorana_cirstea #martina_navratilova
