Defending champion Coco Gauff is out of the 2025 Miami Open tournament after a shocking defeat to Magda Linette 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 16. She suffered serving calamities and struggled to find her best form, leaving fans alarmed with her error-strewn performance.
No. 3 Gauff threw in 12 double faults and 45 unforced errors in a wayward display. The American emerged as Linette’s highest-ranked opponent. Gauff, 21, dropped her serve in the second service game and saved one break point before 37th-ranked Magda Linette converted the second for a 2-1 lead.
The Pole consolidated the break for a 3-1 lead. Gauff held her serve for the remainder of the first set but Linette, 33, swept through with a 6-4 win. The American returned more vigorous in the second set, holding her opening service game and breaking Linette for a 2-0 lead. But Linette held her own, kicked off a back-and-forth stretch followed by another exchange of breaks and a level of 4-4.
With Gauff, one of the most recognizable faces in American sport, up 30-15 in the ninth game, Linette earned a break point and claimed victory. She won the second set 6-4, a straight-sets win.
Coco Gauff Acknowledges Serving Issues
Coco Gauff is struggling with serving problems. Her loss to Linette illustrates her frustration. Gauff acknowledged that she has to turn things around. “Everything. Serve, return, forehand, backhand – one of those days I just fell off on everything on the court!”
She shared that there have been moments she played great, like the last two matches. Gauff highlighted her setbacks – double faults and unforced errors. “I felt if I could raise my level a bit, it could be 6-4 in my direction and I was able to get up an early break but didn’t consolidate it.”
