Coco Gauff faces Aryna Sabalenka later today, in what is the latest enthralling chapter in their ever-expanding rivalry.
However, based on form throughout the last year, it really only feels like the Miami Open final will go in one direction.
The Belarusian is the heavy favourite, boasting far greater power, precision and serving. And yet, there’s something about this match-up that irks the world number one, and therefore always puts Coco Gauff in with a chance.
She has now been told exactly what she’ll have to do to beat Aryna Sabalenka, with Danielle Collins speaking on Tennis Channel just yesterday.
How Coco Gauff can beat Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open final
She began by highlighting the level head-to-head record as one reason for Gauff-inspired optimism, with the player-turned-pundit noting: “They have split those matches, but Coco has come up clutch in some of those finals.”
Collins then added: “I think Coco, with her game style, she has the capability to make Sabalenka come up with a lot of errors, and also, she forces Sabalenka to have to play outside of her strike zone, which she doesn’t like to do.
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“Coco’s ball tends to get up above the shoulders of some of these players, especially with the hot, humid conditions here, and how the ball goes through the courts, the courts are bouncy, the ball goes up high, and it’s hard for Sabalenka to be able to generate a lot of power from there.
“I mean, she still plays with some incredible power, I have to say, but that’s just something that I’ve noticed in their previous matchups.”
The American then offered her compatriot some advice for the 22-year-old, before outlining the dangers that Sabalenka poses too: “I think Coco also does a really good job when she’s on the run, throwing in some slices. She scraps out some of these points. Coco is arguably the best mover on tour. So it’s gonna be hard for Sabalenka.
“Now, Sabalenka’s number one in the world. It’s also a tough matchup for Coco. Coco’s gonna have to play her game. She’s going to have to serve well, return well, do all of the things, but she’s certainly capable of doing that with what we’ve seen out here this week from her.”
Gauff has suffered from severe serving issues over the last year, and as Collins alludes to, these will have to be almost non-existent today if she really is to do the unthinkable and stop Sabalenka from compiling the Sunshine Double.
Coco Gauff’s record vs Aryna Sabalenka in finals
Whilst Gauff and Sabalenka’s head-to-head is currently tied at six wins apiece, as aforementioned, it’s the former of the two who boasts a far greater record when they have met in finals.
That being said, they have only played two finals before, with the youngster winning both.
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Her first came during the 2022 US Open, where she won her maiden major title, before repeating the same feat in last year’s Roland Garros, again coming from a set down to secure her spot in the history books.
Gauff will need that same dedication if she is to dethrone Sabalenka in Miami.
