The prodigious 21-year-old tennis sensation and the world’s third-ranked player, Coco Gauff, has been making waves at the Miami Open 2025. Her impressive performance, especially the merciless double bagel thrashing of her compatriot Sofia Kenin, is a testament to her regained form. Despite a series of early round exits in previous tournaments, including Doha and Dubai, Gauff appears to be rediscovering her rhythm on the courts of Miami. However, her next challenge awaits in the form of a formidable adversary, Maria Sakkari.
Although Gauff started off 2025 on a high note following her triumph at the WTA Finals and a role in helping Team USA secure a second consecutive United Cup title, her performance has been somewhat disappointing. A quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open and an early departure from the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships marked a slump in her form. Even at Indian Wells, she struggled to make a mark, falling to Belinda Bencic in the fourth round.
Nonetheless, heading into the Miami Open R32, Gauff carries the confidence of a recent victory over Sakkari at the Indian Wells R32. Sakkari’s 2025 form echoes Gauff’s, with early exits from Dubai, Merida, and Indian Wells. Although her Miami campaign started on a positive note after a hard-fought victory over Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti, she still has a tough road ahead.
The head-to-head record between Gauff and Sakkari is compelling, with the Greek player leading 5-4. Their most recent encounter at Indian Wells saw Gauff triumph in straight sets, avenging her defeat from the previous year. Despite the close competition, Gauff’s recent victory could give her an edge in the impending match.
Given Gauff’s decent singles record in 2025 (11-4), she appears to be regaining momentum. However, her performance in Miami has historically been underwhelming, with her best runs in 2022 and 2024 ending in the fourth round. Conversely, Sakkari has had a stronger track record in Miami, reaching the semifinal in 2021 and the quarterfinal last season.
Analysing their playing styles, Gauff’s strong backhand and excellent court mobility are notable. However, her inconsistent serve, which resulted in 21 double faults in her opening match against Japan’s Uchijima at Indian Wells, needs to be improved. Sakkari, on the other hand, is known for her aggressive play and powerful serves and groundstrokes.
Heading into Saturday’s encounter, Gauff appears to have the upper hand, having recently outplayed Sakkari and given her commanding performance against Kenin in the Miami Open. If she manages to maintain her form and minimize unforced errors, she could potentially level the head-to-head tally against Sakkari. The prediction leans towards Gauff winning the match in straight sets, a testament to the young American’s prodigious talent and rising stature in the world of tennis.
