Coco Gauff Dominates in Miami Open Opening Match

MIAMI, USA — Coco Gauff, the world No. 3, showcased her dominance on Thursday, defeating Sofia Kenin 6-0, 6-0 in just 47 minutes during the second round of the Miami Open presented by Itau. This victory not only secures her spot in the third round but also silences critics who questioned her form following early exits in her previous tournaments in Doha and Dubai.

“I was definitely playing well today, and maybe she wasn’t playing her peak great tennis,” Gauff said during the post-match press conference. “I don’t think anyone who is playing their best tennis will have that scoreline today, so I’m not going to say she played her best tennis. I think it was a combination of me playing really well and her not playing as well.”

Gauff, who closed the match with a perfect score by winning all 12 games, acknowledged the challenges of maintaining momentum after such a commanding first set. She added, “At 5-0, I really wanted the 6-0, so I was a little bit nervous that game too.”

Returning to her home soil in South Florida, Gauff is determined to regain her consistency after a disappointing run recently. She ended last season on a high note by winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Despite doubts surrounding her performance, Gauff remains focused on her personal game rather than criticism.

“I know where I personally stand in my game. Yes, it’s not been up to my standards, but at the same time, we are just in March, and our season ends in November. There is a lot of time to improve,” Gauff stated.

Looking ahead, Gauff will face No. 28 seed Maria Sakkari in the third round on Sunday.