In the Round of 64 at the Miami Open presented by Itau, American tennis star Coco Gauff, ranked No. 3 in the world, is set to face fellow American Sofia Kenin, ranked No. 46, on Friday, March 21, 2025. This matchup is highly anticipated as both players have had contrasting recent performances in the WTA tour, setting the stage for a compelling clash on hard courts.
Coco Gauff, who has garnered significant attention since her emergence in professional tennis, is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Belinda Bencic at the BNP Paribas Open just days earlier. Gauff was defeated in the Round of 16, losing in three sets with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 on March 12, 2025. Despite this setback, she maintains an impressive record of 25 wins against 10 losses on hard courts over the last year. Gauff’s performance also includes two tournament victories during that time.
In contrast, Sofia Kenin comes into the match with some momentum after winning her most recent encounter against Petra Kvitova in the Round of 128, triumphing in straight sets with scores of 6-4, 7-5 on March 18, 2025. The 25-year-old has a 20-17 win-loss record over hard courts across the last year, considerably lower than her opponent’s. However, Kenin's competitive nature, paired with her previous experiences, could make her a formidable opponent.
This upcoming match not only matters in context of this tournament, but it also has implications for the players' standings and futures in the sport. Gauff's odds to win the Miami Open are currently set at +1200, while Kenin is at a long +8000, marking her as the underdog in this matchup.
According to the latest betting odds, Gauff is predominantly favored to win the match with -250 odds against Kenin’s +195. This disparity reflects the expectations surrounding Gauff as she aims to capitalize on her home-court advantage and potentially consider her match against Kenin a stepping stone towards deeper play in the tournament.
Gauff’s road to the Miami Open has not been without its challenges. “It’s great to be back here. Like I said, I love this tournament, home tournament and I guess tennis is like a crazy sport like you really ever have time to reflect because when you win, you’re already going to the next tournament,” Gauff shared in a recent interview. Recognizing the high demands of the tour, she pointed out her need to take a moment for personal reflection amidst competition. “I guess something I need to probably sit down and do,” she added. “But overall I am very happy with my career I guess so far.”
Gauff has had a busy start to the 2025 season, participating in multiple tournaments—including the United Cup, the Australian Open, and the recent BNP Paribas Open—culminating in nearly a constant series of matches without much time for self-reflection. She expressed her frustrations regarding her performance consistency this season: “I’m obviously not happy with those past results, but it’s one of those things that, in the history of my career, I’ve had ups and downs.”
Competing against Kenin adds a layer of drama, as the two have faced off multiple times before, sharing a tied head-to-head record (2-2). In their most recent encounter earlier this year at the Australian Open, Gauff emerged victorious. “I still feel like I have a couple more years … to reach that point where every week is a great week, I guess,” Gauff remarked, highlighting her aspirations as she navigates the pressures of the sport.
In addition to her on-court challenges, Gauff has expanded her commitments off the court, recently launching her own fashion collection, the Coco Delray collection, in collaboration with designer Joe Robinson, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and her prowess beyond tennis. Gauff's balancing act between sport and personal ambitions demonstrates her fierce determination to flourish both professionally and personally.
The matchup against Kenin might serve not only as an opportunity for Gauff to regain some confidence but also to affirm her status as a leading figure in women's tennis. For Kenin, this match is a crucial chance to upset the odds and begin establishing her trajectory back to the top echelons of the sport.
As fans prepare for what promises to be an exciting competition, both players are well aware of the stakes at hand. With Gauff aiming to solidify her place among the sport's elite and Kenin looking for redemption, this clash at the Miami Open on March 21 is sure to deliver both drama and skill on the court.
