Coco Gauff Advances at Miami Open with Convincing Win Over Sakkari

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Coco Gauff showcased her skills on March 23, 2025, with a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari, advancing to the last 16 of the Miami Open. This win marked a significant turnaround for the 21-year-old American, who has faced scrutiny in recent tournaments.

Gauff, participating at her home tournament, secured her second victory in as many matches, having previously defeated Sofia Kenin 6-0, 6-0 in just 47 minutes. The Miami Open, renowned for its lively atmosphere and supportive crowd, provided the perfect platform for Gauff to demonstrate her resilience and competitive spirit amid ongoing criticism.

“I knew it wasn’t going to go as smoothly,” Gauff said, reflecting on her match against Sakkari. She emphasized focusing on the present, acknowledging her previous win over Kenin. “I didn’t want to think about it because this is a one-every-couple-years type occurrence. I was just trying to put that match in the past and focus on today.”

With the head-to-head record between Gauff and Sakkari now leveled at 5-5, her victory reinforces her determination to overcome past challenges. Gauff noted, “I think it was just one of those things that you would like to play the exact same way so you can replicate the same result. But you know any smart person isn’t going to play you the exact same way as they did two weeks ago after a loss.”

Following her win, Gauff celebrated her connection with the Miami crowd, sharing a heartfelt message inspired by lyrics from Dominic Fike’s song “Sunburn.” “When I die, bury me in the sun,” Gauff wrote on the camera lens, reflecting the affection she feels for her hometown.

Sakkari, ranked No. 51, faced another setback, having struggled to find her form in recent matches. Once a top-10 player, she has not won back-to-back matches since last summer. Gauff’s victory now adds to Sakkari’s challenges, highlighting the competitive nature of women’s tennis.

In addition to her win over Sakkari, Gauff achieved noteworthy records at the Miami Open, including becoming the youngest player to reach back-to-back rounds of 16 since Garbine Muguruza in 2013. She also set a record for the most hard-court wins in WTA 1000 events before turning 22, with 58 victories.

Looking ahead, Gauff will face Magda Linette in her next match, who advanced after defeating qualifier Linda Fruhvirtova.