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Coco Gauff Battles Past Elisabetta Cocciaretto to Secure Hard-Fought Miami Open Victory

Posted : 21 March 2026

American star Coco Gauff made a resilient return to the court on Friday at the Miami Open. She secured a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the first round. The match lasted over two hours as Gauff fought back from an early deficit at Hard Rock Stadium.

Gauff entered the tournament following a recent withdrawal from Indian Wells due to a left arm nerve injury. She admitted to feeling the physical strain during the match but expressed confidence in her recovery process. The Delray Beach native noted that the discomfort is decreasing with each passing day of competition.

The 22-year-old struggled with her service game throughout the contest, committing 11 double faults in total. However, she managed to win 77% of her first-serve points to keep the pressure on her opponent. This statistical balance proved vital as the match moved into a high-stakes deciding third set.

Cocciaretto took an early 2-0 lead in the final set, threatening an upset against the world number four. Gauff responded by winning four consecutive games to seize control of the momentum. She eventually closed out the match on her third match point during the Italian's service game.

The victory serves as a significant morale boost for Gauff following her injury layoff. She remarked after the win that the struggle helped her appreciate her love for the sport. This win also levels her competitive history against Cocciaretto after a previous loss to the Italian.

Elsewhere in the bracket, world number one Aryna Sabalenka also advanced after a tough straight-sets win. Sabalenka defeated Ann Li 7-6, 6-4 in a match where she praised her opponent's aggressive serving. Most top seeds followed suit, though No. 33 Maria Sakkari suffered a surprise straight-sets exit.

Gauff's progression keeps her title hopes alive in a tournament she considers a home event. She will look to stabilize her serve in the second round to reduce physical and tactical pressure. The win ensures the top four seeds remain largely intact as the competition intensifies in Florida.

 

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