In the electric atmosphere of the 2025 Miami Open, Coco Gauff has once again proven why she’s one of tennis’s brightest stars, surging past Maria Sakkari in a thrilling third-round showdown on Saturday, March 22. The 21-year-old American, ranked No. 3 in the world, delivered a commanding 6-2, 6-4 victory over the seasoned Greek player under the blazing Florida sun at Hard Rock Stadium. What started as a test of wills turned into a showcase of Gauff’s resilience and raw talent, leveling their head-to-head record at 5-5 and sending a clear message to the field: she’s ready to make a deep run on home soil.
The match kicked off with Gauff seizing control early. Fresh off a jaw-dropping double-bagel win over Sofia Kenin in the second round—a ruthless 6-0, 6-0 rout that took just 47 minutes—she carried that momentum into her clash with Sakkari. The first set was a masterclass in aggression and precision, as Gauff blasted through with a 6-2 scoreline, her powerful backhand and lightning-fast court coverage leaving Sakkari scrambling. “I think just relaxing and enjoying it,” Gauff had said after her Kenin demolition, hinting at the mindset that’s fueling her Miami resurgence. With her family cheering courtside, that relaxed confidence was on full display as she dictated play from the baseline, forcing errors from her opponent.
But Sakkari, a former world No. 3 and Miami semi-finalist in 2021, wasn’t about to go quietly. The second set turned into a rollercoaster, with the 29-year-old clawing her way back from an early deficit to snag a break and lead 4-2. It was a moment that tested Gauff’s mettle—Sakkari’s powerful serves and aggressive groundstrokes had the crowd on edge, sensing a potential shift. Yet, Gauff’s fighting spirit shone through. Down a break, she tapped into the same tenacity that’s carried her to a US Open title and a 13-4 record this season. “I just tried to stay solid,” she’d later reflect, a nod to her ability to weather storms. She reeled off four consecutive games, breaking Sakkari’s serve twice and sealing the set 6-4 with a match point that had the American faithful roaring.
This wasn’t just another win for Gauff—it was a statement. The victory marked her third straight trip to the Miami Open’s round of 16, matching her best result at the tournament, and it came against a player who’s historically had her number. Their rivalry, now spanning 10 matches, has been a tug-of-war, with Sakkari dominating early meetings but Gauff flipping the script in recent hard-court battles, including a straight-sets win at Indian Wells earlier this month. “She’s a tough opponent,” Gauff acknowledged, her respect for Sakkari evident despite the triumph. That toughness showed in Sakkari’s dogged second-set comeback, but Gauff’s ability to close the door underscored her growth into a clutch performer.
For Sakkari, the loss stings. Ranked 51st and battling a 6-11 season record, she’d fought hard to reach this stage, edging out Lucia Bronzetti in a three-set marathon in the second round. Yet, facing Gauff—a player she’s now lost to in back-to-back tournaments—proved a bridge too far. Her slide beyond the top 60 looms, a stark contrast to her past Miami heroics, but her grit remains undeniable. “I gave everything,” she’d likely say, echoing the sentiment of a warrior unbowed despite the defeat.
Gauff’s journey in Miami is far from over. Next up, she’ll face either Magda Linette or Linda Fruhvirtova in the fourth round, a matchup that could propel her deeper into the tournament than ever before. Historically, Miami has been a stumbling block—her best runs, in 2022 and 2024, ended in the round of 16—but this year feels different. With a bye in the first round and a pair of emphatic wins under her belt, she’s riding a wave of momentum that’s been elusive since her Australian Open quarter-final exit in January. “I want to take it match by match and try to win every single one,” she’s said, her focus laser-sharp as she chases a first Miami title.
The broader context adds intrigue. With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner sidelined by a doping ban until May, the top of the rankings is in flux, and Gauff’s path to a WTA 1000 crown looks tantalizingly open. Her Miami campaign is also a homecoming—the Florida native thrives in front of her local crowd, and their energy is propelling her forward. As she eyes a breakthrough, the echoes of her 57th WTA 1000 win (a record before age 22) and her second career double-bagel linger, painting a picture of a champion hitting her stride. In the steamy crucible of the Miami Open, Coco Gauff is racing toward greatness, and the tennis world can’t look away.
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