MIAMI GARDENS — Coco Gauff's hopes for a successful run at the Miami Open were dashed on Monday, March 24, 2025, as she faced off against Poland's Magda Linette in the fourth round. The world No. 3 Gauff suffered a disappointing 6-4, 6-4 defeat, marking a second consecutive early exit from a major tournament.
Struggles with her serve were undeniably a factor in Gauff's loss. She recorded a staggering 12 double faults and managed to get only 51 percent of her first serves in play during the one-hour and 29-minute match. This lackluster performance showcased her ongoing battle with serving consistency, a challenge that has plagued her in recent tournaments.
The match began with Gauff serving first, and both players held their initial games to make it 1-all. However, Gauff's troubles surfaced quickly. She faltered in her second service game, dropping her serve after saving one break point. Linette seized the opportunity, taking an early lead at 2-1 and consolidating it for a 3-1 advantage. From that point onward, despite both players holding their serves, it became clear that Gauff was struggling to find her rhythm. Ultimately, Linette claimed the first set 6-4.
In the second set, there were moments when it seemed Gauff might turn the tide. She opened with a strong service game and broke Linette to lead 2-0 early on. But Linette, unyielding, broke back immediately and pushed the score back to even at 4-4. At a crucial moment in the ninth game, Gauff found herself in a strong position with a 30-15 lead but couldn’t capitalize, allowing Linette to break her serve once again.
The match culminated with Linette closing out the second set 6-4, securing her place in the quarterfinals where she will face Italy's Jasmine Paolini. This victory is particularly notable for Linette, as defeating Gauff marks the highest-ranked opponent she has beaten at a Hologic WTA Tour event, and it is her first top-ten win since she overcame Paolini in Beijing last year.
Linette expressed her joy after the match, saying, "Beating Coco for the first time is a huge achievement for me. She’s so tough. Even on her worst days, she’s so, so tough. Thank you so much everyone for making this atmosphere so nice." Her determination and focus helped her capitalize on Gauff's missteps, breaking her serve four times throughout the match.
For Gauff, this defeat continues what has been a frustrating start to 2025. After winning the U.S. Open in 2023, she has struggled to find consistent form. Following her loss at the Miami Open, Coco Gauff reflected on her performance. "It wasn’t great today. It hasn’t been the last few weeks -- I’m trying to figure that out. Definitely not happy about it. ... Just one of those days when I felt awful in everything on the court," she remarked.
Prior to the Miami Open, Gauff had also been eliminated in the fourth round at Indian Wells and in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, showcasing a troubling trend for the young talent. Despite still holding a significant endorsement portfolio and a world ranking of third, her results on the court have not met her expectations. Gauff turned 21 earlier this month, entering a critical phase of her career where maintaining a competitive edge is essential.
As the tournament moves forward, the focus now shifts to the quarterfinal matchup between Linette and Paolini, who defeated Naomi Osaka in a closely contested bout earlier on the same day. Paolini triumphed over Osaka with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, marking her first win against a Grand Slam champion in five attempts.
Linette leads her head-to-head against Paolini 2-1, having won their most recent encounter at the same stage in Beijing last year. Both players are entering the quarterfinals with something to prove and will be eager to capitalize on their momentum.
As the Miami Open progresses, the spotlight may shift from names like Gauff and Osaka to emerging players like Linette and Paolini, reminding everyone in the tennis world that every match can introduce new and unexpected narratives.
