Coco Gauff reveals key to beating ‘tough’ opponent in next round of Miami Open

Coco Gauff overcame a sluggish start to defeat Oceane Dodin at the Miami Open and she knows she will have to up her game if she is to get past her next opponent Caroline Garcia in the fourth round.

Reigning US Open champion Gauff found herself on the back foot early on against the lucky loser as the world No 84 broke in the fifth game of the first set and opened up a 2-4 lead, but the American then reeled off 10 consecutive games to come away with a 6-4, 6-0 victory.

The victory was Gauff’s 22nd in her 23 matches on home soil with her only defeat coming against Maria Sakkari in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells Open last week.

It was just about weathering the storm for the world No 3 during the jittery moments.

“She’s a big hitter. She likes the game on her terms. I was trying my best to get deep in the court and just weather the storm,” she explained. “Overall I feel good so far. I’m trying to improve with each match. Definitely playing a little bit better than I was last week in Indian Wells.”

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Up next is former world No 4 Garcia – who defeated Naomi Osaka – and Gauff has found life against the Frenchwoman tough in recent years.

After winning their first two encounters in 2021 and 2022, Gauff lost the next two matches against Garcia at the US Open and WTA Finals (both in 2022).

“Caroline’s always a tough player to play. I think I lost to her the most recent time,” she explained.

“She’s tough. We all know how she plays. Takes the ball super early, plays very aggressive.

“I think for me it’s going to be important that I just kind of stick to my game and get the ball deep in the court and not let her run me around on the court.”

But the ultimate goal in Miami is to be the last woman standing and lift the trophy and it would be a special occasion for the 20-year-old as it is her home tournament.

“It would be really cool to win here at home,” Gauff, who is looking to win her fourth title on American soil since August last year, told the Tennis Channel.

“I think the best part about winning here is just being able to drive home with the trophy and not have to fly and pack. … And I’m a Dolphins fan, so maybe if I win here they can win another trophy at the Super Bowl.”