The American cruised past Maria Sakkari in straight sets to reach the fourth round in Miami.Coco Gauff claimed her second win against Maria Sakkari in as many tournaments on Saturday, backing up her Indian Wells victory with another confidence-boosting performance at the Miami Open presented by Itau.While their match in the California desert was a tight contest, requiring a first-set tiebreak before Gauff eventually pulled away, in South Florida the American dictated proceedings as she got out to a strong lead. Gauff broke serve twice in the first set, and then weathered a rough patch in the second set to close out a 6-2, 6-4 win on Stadium Court.The victory continued the 21-year-old’s serene progress at her home tournament, as she moved into the fourth round in straight sets following her 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Sofia Kenin in the second round.Read More: Coco Gauff “really wanted the 6-0” as she closed out Miami demolition against Kenin“That was the goal today, to go out there and have fun on the court,” Gauff told press in Miami. “That’s what I feel like, that’s how I’m playing…“I think in the past, there’s a little bit of pressure playing at home. But I feel, like, because I play my best tennis when I’m playing relaxed and playing loose, I think that’s what I was trying to emulate today.”In the past, there’s a little bit of pressure playing at home. But I feel, like, because I play my best tennis when I’m playing relaxed and playing loose, that’s what I was trying to emulate today.Staying loose and relaxed will likely be the strategy for Gauff all week, as she seeks to overcome the mental hurdle of competing on home soil: She’s never been past the fourth round in Miami in five appearances, her lowest winning percentage at the WTA 1000 level.Off the court Gauff, who was born in Atlanta but grew up in nearby Delray Beach’s Pompey Park, brings her hometown along with her wherever she goes after she recently released the newest edition of her signature shoe with New Balance.The new Coco Delray was designed for casual play, as a part of her mission to make the game more equitable by creating state-of-the-art footwear for players of all skill levels.Read More: Coco Gauff launches new, everyday sneaker for 21st birthday—with grandma’s helpMovie buff @CocoGauff settles the Hunger Games vs Twilight debate 🎥🏹🌗#MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/zuwoVLiBdWThe 21-year-old pondered her legacy—along with her dream tennis wishlist—during her post-match press conference in Tennis.com’s Quote of the Day:Q: What would you rather have, another major or the No. 1 ranking?COCO GAUFF: Another major. I’ve always said… I don’t know, I feel like people remember you more off majors than world No. 1 ranking. Obviously if you could have both, that’s great.I think for me in my personal, especially with only having one, I would like to have another. Now, if I had like four and I hadn’t reached No. 1, then that maybe would be a different story.But only having one? I would like to have another just to cement myself even more.A post shared by Coco Gauff (@cocogauff)Gauff was still a teenager when she clinched the 2023 US Open title, after reaching the 2022 Roland Garros final. She’s already scaled up the WTA Rankings, peaking at world No. 2 last year, so her response could hint at some unfinished business as the calendar approaches the clay-court season.In the meantime, Gauff is set to face Magda Linette on Monday at the Miami Open. The Polish player took out Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, No. 18 seed Ekaterina Makarova and Linda Fruhvirtova in straight sets to reach the third round.Gauff owns a 2-0 lead in their head to head, including a comfortable victory last year in Wuhan.
