Coco Gauff advanced to the semi-finals of the Miami Open for the first time in her career, overcoming a tough challenge from Belinda Bencic in a three-set quarter-final match that ended 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Despite battling an unfamiliar arm injury, inconsistent form, and the pressure of trying to overhaul her serve under the spotlight, the American No. 4 seed’s mental resilience and fighting spirit have propelled her deeper into the tournament held in her hometown area. This milestone marks Gauff’s best-ever performance at the Miami Open, a tournament that had previously been her most difficult at the WTA 1000 level.
Throughout the match, Gauff demonstrated remarkable tenacity, navigating a demanding three-set battle to secure victory. Although her form has been patchy this year, and she has been pushed to the brink in all four of her matches at Miami—each stretching to a deciding set—her perseverance has never faltered. Reflecting on her journey, Gauff acknowledged the mental challenges she faces, including occasional self-doubt and “impostor syndrome.” Despite impressive achievements, she sometimes struggles to fully believe in her success, especially as she works on refining her serve. “Tennis doesn’t lie, the ball doesn’t lie,” Gauff said, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and the encouragement she receives from her coaching team to remind her of her capabilities.
Gauff’s performance against Bencic was one of her most impressive in the tournament, showcasing her ability to retrieve difficult shots and seize opportunities to attack from defensive positions. Her tactical use of variation, particularly the drop shot, helped her break down Bencic’s game during long baseline rallies. This strategic play was crucial in a match where physical and mental endurance were tested.
Serving has been a major focus for Gauff in recent months amid struggles that prompted her to change her service motion. She is working with biomechanics coach Gavin Macmillan, known for helping Aryna Sabalenka improve her serve. Despite the ongoing adjustments, Gauff delivered a solid serving performance against Bencic, firing six aces and landing important first serves at critical moments. She kept double faults to a minimum, committing only five over three sets, which was a positive sign given the scrutiny her serve has faced.
Gauff’s path to the Miami Open semi-finals is even more remarkable considering the injury challenges she has faced. The Miami Open had been her most elusive WTA 1000 event, being the only one where she had not previously reached the quarter-final stage. Her progress this year was uncertain after she was forced to retire from Indian Wells due to a right forearm injury. Some members of her team even advised her to skip Miami, despite its significance to her personally. Known for her physical style of play, Gauff had enjoyed a relatively injury-free career until this point, making the injury a new and unwelcome hurdle.
The injury, which Gauff described as a “nerve thing,” caused her to undergo her first-ever MRI scan—a claustrophobic experience she joked about despite its necessity. Although she has experienced occasional pain during the tournament, including in the match against Bencic, Gauff has managed to cope and continue competing effectively. Her ability to push through discomfort and maintain focus has been a testament to her resilience and determination.
Looking ahead, Gauff is set to face 13th seed Karolína Muchová in the semi-finals. Muchová, who recently won the WTA 1000 event in Doha, advanced to this stage after defeating 10th seed Victoria Mboko in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (5). While Muchová is currently one of the in-form players on the tour, Gauff holds a dominant 5-0 record in their head-to-head matchups, which could offer her a psychological edge going into their rematch.
Meanwhile, other top players continue their pursuit of the Sunshine Double—the prestigious feat of winning both the Indian Wells and Miami Open titles in the same year. Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed and recent Indian Wells champion, remains in contention as she faces American Hailey Baptiste. Another high-profile quarter-final will feature third seed Elena Rybakina against fifth seed Jessica Pegula, promising a heavyweight battle to decide one of the remaining semi-finalists.
On the men’s side, the tournament has seen some exciting developments as well