America’s hope Gauff will play No. 1 Sabalenka in Miami Open final

By Harvey Fialkov / Staff writer

MIAMI GARDENS — After her match on Tuesday, Coco Gauff, the No. 4 player in the world with two Grand Slams and 11 titles already on her resume, said she felt like a victim of “imposter syndrome.”

“I think it just shows, like my mind, and it’s just all about mentality out there at the end of the day,’’ she said. “And I think I have to believe that I belong where I am. I think sometimes I can get imposter syndrome.

“And even when they’re saying my accomplishments when I walk out during the warmup, it doesn’t feel like me. And I’m like, ‘Oh, actually, I do have a good career.’ But it doesn’t feel like that sometimes in the moment, because you’re working on things. Especially with my serve, it just feels like I don’t know that I shouldn’t be where I am, but tennis doesn’t lie.

“The ball doesn’t lie. So, I just have to believe in myself.”

Believe it, Coco.

Despite getting her serve broken in the opening game of her Thursday afternoon semifinal against No.14 Karolina Muchova of Czechia, Gauff reeled off the next 10 games on her way to a 6-1, 6-1 win in just 89 minutes to advance to her first career final in the Miami Open.

“Today, I didn’t feel like an imposter, I feel like I’m playing some good tennis today so I’m going to take my chin [up] with my win,’’ chuckled Gauff, 22, of Delray Beach. “It means a lot to me, again it wasn’t expected, yeah, this tournament obviously means a lot to be in the final is pretty crazy.”

So, after four consecutive three-set victories, Gauff was relieved to have an easy day at the office, especially with a day off before her final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.

In the evening quarterfinal, the ball-bashing Belarusian Sabalenka bested world No. 2 Elena Rybakina for the second straight tournament, only this time there was no need to save a match point as a confident Sabalenka methodically rolled over the Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-3 in front of a packed Hard Rock Stadium.

As much as the fans cheered for American sweetheart Gauff in the afternoon, they rooted for the Miami-based Sabalenka in the evening, perhaps because she’s engaged to Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis.

At 4-5 in the opening set, Sabalenka, as champions do, broke Rybakina with a combination punch of a cross-court backhand followed by a ferocious overhead.

Set two was more routine with a dominant 4-0 start, until Sabalenka eventually served it out at love, ending with a T-serve followed with a howitzer cross-court forehand. Sabalenka roared and signed the camera lens with her nickname: “Tiger.”

“I’m super happy with the level I played. I think I played incredible tennis, and there’s nothing I could do better today,’’ said Sabalenka, who smacked nine aces to just two for the Tour leader Rybakina, while winning 83 percent of her first serves. “I’m happy to be in another final.”

This meeting was the first time a No. 1 vs. 2 played in a non-title Miami Open match since 1987 (not including Grand Slams or WTA Finals) when No. 2 Steffi Graf defeated No. 1 Martina Navratilova in the semis.

Gauff is 6-6 against Sabalenka, including both a pair of wins in the finals of her two Grand Slam titles (2025 French Open and 2023 US Open).

“We played so many matches,’’ Gauff said. “It’s physical every time when I play her. I know it’s going to be tough. She’s playing great tennis and is definitely world No.1 for a reason. It’s going to be a great challenge.”

Sabalenka is now 10-7 against Rybakina and 2-0 in their last two outings in WTA 1000s. The Belarusian remains on track to repeat as champion here while also becoming the fifth woman to capture the Sunshine Double – Indian Wells and Miami in the same year.

“She’s a fighter,’’ Sabalenka said of Gauff. “We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. …I think it’s going to be a great battle. I can’t wait to play that match.

“The rhythm is always different. It’s not like she’s forcing unforced errors. With Coco you know you have to play an extra ball and the ball always comes back. It’s not perfect but it’s always back on your side. You have to be aggressive and go for your shot. She pushes you into the long rallies and that’s what makes her more difficult.”

Gauff is now 6-0 against the 29-year-old Muchova.  Gauff has won 11 of the 12 sets in those matches, and Muchova’s 37 unforced errors on Wednesday led to her undoing. That included a bushel of wild forehands and uncharacteristic misses on her usually sound volleys.

The former French Open finalist who won her first WTA 1000 title at Doha last month, didn’t hold her serve until trailing 0-4 in the second set. After the early break, Gauff saved 7-of-8 break points.

“I’m just trying to make my game more sound. I feel like the improvements are happening, especially with my forehand,’’ said Gauff, who smoked 17 winners. “I was really happy with how it’s been this whole tournament. I’ve said earlier this year I felt like I’ve been practicing well and was just waiting for it to click. I think it’s not fully clicked yet, but I think it is clicking.”

Gauff’s team  suggested she skip the Miami Open after she retired mid-match at Indian Wells a few weeks ago with a nerve disorder in her left arm. Once the MRI showed no damage, there was no way Gauff would skip her hometown event which she said was on her “bucket list’’ to win.

“They’re the best players in the world,’’ Gauff said prior to the evening match. “I’m excited for the challenge, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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About the Miami Open presented by Itaú

The 2026 Miami Open presented by Itaú will be played March 15 – March 29 at Hard Rock Stadium. The 15-day event is owned and operated by MARI and Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a WTA 1000 event on the WTA calendar, and annually hosts the world’s best players, with recent champions including the top players in each tour’s rankings – Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. In 2025, the tournament attracted more than 400,000 spectators over its 15 days at Hard Rock Stadium. Widely regarded as the most glamorous stop on the ATP and WTA calendars, the Miami Open is defined by the city’s vibrant culture, nightlife, five-star dining and hospitality, iconic beaches, and celebrity appeal, along with its close proximity to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

About Itaú Unibanco

The largest bank in Latin America, Itaú Unibanco operates in 18 countries and serves more than 70 million customers, including individuals and companies across a wide range of segments. With the purpose of strengthening financial well-being, the bank supports customers at different stages of life by offering solutions tailored to their needs, as well as innovation and information that encourage more conscious decision-making and a healthier relationship with money.

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MARI is a global events and experiences company with a portfolio of some of the world’s most influential live properties across sport, art, lifestyle, and entertainment. From international tennis tournaments such as the Mutua Madrid Open and the Miami Open presented by Itaú to Frieze, a leading voice in contemporary art, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, TodayTix Group’s leadership in digital ticketing, and Barrett-Jackson’s leading collector car auctions, MARI’s portfolio reflects a shared ambition: to deliver live experiences that bring people together, inspire audiences and shape culture worldwide.

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Hard Rock Stadium is a global entertainment destination and curator of world-class events. The best-in-class venue is home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami Hurricanes football team, the Capital One Orange Bowl, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open presented by Itaú, major concerts, the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and FIFA World Cup 2026™. Due to its overall sustainability efforts, the multifunctional venue holds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation rating. For more information, visit hardrockstadium.com.