“I will say that it is tough, sometimes, when everyone is (saying), ‘Oh, (lost) two matches in a row,’ and things like that,” Coco Gauff admitted ahead of her first match at the Miami Open. And she was not wrong! After a rough stretch from the AO through the Middle East swing, the critics were consistently having a go and that was bound to create pressure. But the newly turned 21-year-old wasted no time silencing doubters with a dominant victory in R64 at Miami, beating Sofia Kenin in straight sets and re-affirming her position as the best American player on the WTA Tour. With confidence surging, the former US champ has now cheekily backed herself for the Miami Open title, while praising the recent dominance of her fellow American WTA stars.

Following an utterly disappointing exit from the BNP Paribas Open R16, Coco Gauff stormed back with a statement performance at the Miami Open. The World No. 3, who grew up perfecting her craft in nearby Delray Beach, looked right at home on the Miami courts, dismantling fellow American Sofia Kenin in a flawless display. Dropping just 18 points in the entire match, Coco advanced to the 3rd round without conceding a single game, securing a commanding double bagel victory. 

After her emphatic win, Coco set her sights on the bigger picture. Confident and determined, the 9-time WTA singles title winner expressed her desire to claim the Miami Open title, a feat that would further solidify her status as America’s top-ranked player.

In the post-match interview, Coco Gauff was told that three American women are ranked within the top five of the Women’s Tennis Association rankings for the first time in two decades. And, the American ace responded with her signature charm and confidence. “Super special to be surrounded by so many talented women off the court. It’s great for American tennis, for both the women and men,” she said, before cheekily adding, “Hopefully one of us, preferably me, can take this title here.” And with that, the crowd of the arena erupted in cheers, Nevertheless, what are the statistics around the WTA rankings?

Well, in February, Madison Keys, who recently clinched her first GS title, rose to No. 6, and with Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula at No. 3 and No. 5 respectively, it marked the first time there were three American women in the Top 6 since 2004. Now, that same trio has one-upped themselves in the ranks.

With Jasmine Paolini falling in the third round of her title defense in the Dubai Open Championships, she dipped from rank 4 to 6 on the new WTA rankings, meaning Pegula shuffles up from No. 5 to No. 4 and Madison rises from No. 6 to No. 5: her career Top 5 debut. With that, it’s the first time there are three US women in the Top 5 since November 3rd, 2003 when the tennis icon Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, and Jennifer Capriati were at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 respectively.

Coming back to Coco, she is flying high after a ‘double bagel’ victory against the former Australian Open champion Kenin. The 21-year-old was at her witty best while talking to the press after the match.

“Wanted to lose a game” —Coco Gauff expresses her feelings after straight-set win

Coco Gauff’s victory against Kenin was the second double bagel victory of her career. It not only marked her quickest victory to date, beating her previous blemish-free triumph against Arantxa Rus at the 2023 Madrid Open but also showcased her unrelenting form at the home tournament. 

Kenin struggled to find any rhythm, winning just 18 points throughout the match and failing to convert her single breakpoint opportunity. Coco’s victory also etched her name into the WTA 1000 history books, as she became the player with the most no. of wins in this format before turning 22, surpassing Caroline Wozniacki’s 56-match record with her 57th triumph.

Coco also became the youngest player to record a double bagel in the WTA’s singles draw in Miami since her countrywoman Madison Keys, then 18, did it in 2013. The American ace reflected on the significance of the moment, acknowledging both the mental and historical weight of her achievement. 

“Honestly, when I was like 3-0, I was like, I kind of wanted to lose a game because I knew I was going to be nervous at 5-0. But once I got that first point, I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I just need to get three more’. I wanted it because I don’t know how many times it will happen again, hopefully a little bit more but I feel this is a one or two-time [in my] career type of thing,” Coco said after the match. 

Coco Gauff has put together a decent 12-4 record in 2025 and is now set to face 51st-ranked Maria Sakkari in the 3rd round of the Miami Open. Their H2H battle leans slightly in Sakkari’s favor at 5-4, with their most recent clash taking place at Indian Wells. The question now lingers: can Coco carry the momentum forward and make a deep run in the tournament? What do you think?