Coco Gauff survives Elisabetta Cocciaretto in three-set Miami Open test, setting up Alycia Parks matchup

Gauff steadies after slow start to advance in Miami Gardens

Coco Gauff navigated a three-set challenge from Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto at the Miami Open, recovering from the loss of the opening set to secure a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory and move into the third round at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The match followed a familiar pattern for early-round WTA 1000 encounters on hard courts: a lower-ranked opponent establishing rhythm first, then a top seed gradually raising the level as the contest progressed. Cocciaretto claimed the first set 6-3, forcing Gauff into longer exchanges and controlling pace often enough to take the early lead.

From the second set onward, Gauff improved her ability to manage the tempo and extend rallies on her terms. The American took the second set 6-4 to level the match, then closed out the decider 6-3 after holding steady through multiple momentum swings typical of a three-set contest.

Context: a timely win in a busy spring stretch

The Miami Open is the second half of the March “Sunshine Double,” and Gauff’s result keeps her on schedule in a key ranking and form-building portion of the season. Miami has historically been a demanding stop for American players given the travel, conditions, and depth of the draw, and a three-set win early in the tournament can test both physical readiness and in-match problem-solving.

For Cocciaretto, the performance underscored her ability to challenge top opponents on hard courts. She has already recorded a notable win over Gauff earlier this year in Doha, a result that added intrigue to their Miami rematch and helped frame Friday’s meeting as more than a routine seeded-versus-unseeded pairing.

What the result sets up next

With the comeback completed, Gauff’s next opponent is Alycia Parks in the third round. Parks reached the matchup after defeating Maria Sakkari, creating an all-American meeting with a place in the tournament’s second week at stake.

• Result: Gauff def. Cocciaretto, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
• Next match: Gauff vs. Parks (third round)
• Venue: Miami Open, Hard Rock Stadium complex, Miami Gardens

Gauff’s ability to reverse the match after dropping the first set was the defining competitive detail, turning a difficult early pattern into a controlled finish in the deciding set.

The Miami Open women’s draw continues through March 29, with seeds increasingly tested as the event moves toward the round of 16 and quarterfinal stage.