Coco Gauff defeated Karolina Muchova, 6-1, 6-1, to book her place in the final of the Miami Open.
The American delivered one of the finest performances of her career to reach a maiden Miami Open final.
There, she will meet either Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina.
Will Coco Gauff now win the Miami Open title?
Speaking to Tim Henman and Gigi Salmon after her semifinal win, Gauff said something about the Belarusian and Kazakh, which Jessica Pegula agrees with.
Coco Gauff says Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka are the two best players in women’s tennis
Gauff is looking forward to testing her game against the world’s top two players.
“Playing Aryna [Sabalenka] or Elena [Rybakina], it’s going to be a tough match,” she said.
“They’re definitely playing the best tennis right now on tour, but I think it’s a good matchup for me to test my game.
“I don’t think I’ve played either of them yet this year, so I think it will be a good matchup to see where I am, and obviously, I am going out there with the belief to win.”
Gauff’s comments come a day after Pegula claimed Rybakina and Sabalenka were the top two players on the WTA Tour.
“I mean, they’ve been the best in the world. I can’t be upset that I’m losing to, like, the two best players in the world,” said Pegula.
Pegula lost her fifth consecutive match against Rybakina in the Miami Open quarterfinals.
Gauff will hope she fares better against Rybakina, should they face off on Saturday.
Looking back at her semifinal win, Gauff was understandably pleased with her performance.
“It doesn’t feel as straightforward as maybe the scoreline says, honestly, I wasn’t nervous going into it, but whenever you play someone at so many tournaments, it’s hard to try to do what you’ve been doing, but also trying to change it up,” she said.
“Today, I thought I was able to find that good balance of mixing it up. I think I played her before and know that when I get a lead, she can play some good tennis, so honestly, until the point the match was over, I was on the edge of my seat.
“When I stepped on the court today, I felt like it was going to be a strong match. It was. I just played really good tennis today!
“That first game, the first two games felt so long, we went deuce and AD, so many times, maybe that’s why I do well?
“The head-to-head means nothing to me, especially against a player as talented as her. I was just trying to fight for every point, and I don’t know, it just ended up in this scoreline.”
Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Miami Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2026 Australian Open – 4R | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 2025 United Cup – RR | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2024 China Open – F | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-1, 6-3 |
| 2023 US Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-4, 7-5 |
| 2023 Cincinnati Open – F | Coco Gauff | Karolina Muchova | 6-3, 6-4 |
Gauff was then asked what it’s like playing at her home tournament.
“It feels great to be at home, I’m alternating between my house and my parents, depending on how late I finish, they live a little bit closer,” she said.
“It’s just nice to have that family support. I look at my box and see all the people who have supported my tennis journey, and some of the people who drove me to this tournament; it’s just nice.”
The two-time Grand Slam champion has enjoyed her time in Miami, but knows there is still work to do…
Who would Coco Gauff rather play in the Miami Open final – Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina?
Gauff would relish the challenge to take on either player, but surely she must have a preference…
Well, interestingly enough, she’s only played Rybakina once before, at the Canadian Open, four years ago.
She won that match, but it’s safe to say both players have changed a lot since then.
Coco Gauff’s head-to-head records
- Coco Gauff (6-6) Aryna Sabalenka
- Coco Gauff (1-0) Elena Rybakina
Sabalenka, on the other hand, has stood on the opposite side of the net to Gauff 12 times.
They are level at 6-6 in their head-to-head, although the 22-year-old has a history of beating Sabalenka when the lights shine brightest.
Gauff beat Sabalenka to clinch her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, and again to lift the French Open trophy last year.
Having experienced wins over Sabalenka in ‘big’ finals, Gauff might feel a bit more comfortable facing the Belarusian in the final than Rybakina.
The American will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on the second semifinal, as Sabalenka and Rybakina battle it out for a place in Saturday’s final.
