Coco Gauff’s quest to reach her first Miami Open quarterfinal ended in disappointment Monday night, as 37th-ranked Magda Linette stunned the hometown favorite with a straight-sets victory, 6-4, 6-4, in the Round of 16 at Hard Rock Stadium.
The 21-year-old Gauff, ranked third in the world, struggled with her serve throughout the match, committing 12 double faults—many of which landed weakly into the net. Linette, in contrast, played a clean and composed match, not registering a single double fault and capitalizing on Gauff’s erratic play.
From the outset, Gauff looked unsettled on her serve. Midway through the first set, she hit consecutive double faults and, in frustration, slammed her racket to the ground. Linette took full advantage, breaking Gauff’s serve and maintaining control of the set to secure a 6-4 lead.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Gauff managed to recover from a break down to level the score at 3-3, but her struggles persisted. At 4-4, with a chance to take control, Gauff again faltered, committing a costly double fault before misfiring on a forehand that clipped the net cord and bounced wide. Linette seized the opportunity and closed out the match with a confident hold.
Gauff’s 2025 season has been marked by inconsistency. After winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 U.S. Open, she has yet to assert herself as a dominant force on the WTA Tour. Her Miami Open loss follows a fourth-round exit at Indian Wells earlier this month and a quarterfinal defeat at the Australian Open in January.
Though still ranked No. 3 in the world, Gauff’s serve remains a point of frustration. Monday’s match was another example of her struggles in high-pressure moments, particularly at a tournament she hoped to thrive in as a South Florida native.
For Linette, this victory marks one of the biggest wins of her season. The Polish veteran played steady, disciplined tennis, keeping the ball deep and forcing Gauff into long rallies. Her ability to remain error-free on serve proved decisive, and she now moves on to her first Miami Open quarterfinal.
As Gauff looks to regroup heading into the clay-court season, Linette’s upset serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the WTA Tour. With Miami behind her, Gauff will aim to rediscover the form that brought her Grand Slam glory just a year and a half ago.
