Coco Gauff says she did something for the very first time in her career during her Miami Open win over Sofia Kenin
Coco Gauff Dominates Sofia Kenin with Double Bagel Victory at Miami Open
Coco Gauff made a stunning start to her Miami Open campaign, demolishing Sofia Kenin 6-0, 6-0 in her opening match.
In a highly anticipated clash between two Grand Slam champions, Gauff showcased her exceptional speed and defensive skills to overwhelm her fellow American.
Currently ranked WTA No. 3, Gauff has her sights set on adding another Grand Slam title to her resume in 2025, following her US Open triumph in 2023. She now advances to the third round, where she will face Maria Sakkari—the tournament’s 28th seed.
A Perfect Performance in Miami
After receiving a first-round bye, Gauff needed just 47 minutes to dispatch Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion.
Reflecting on her performance, she told Tennis Channel:
“Definitely perfect. I have no critiques for myself. I was nervous in the last game because I think it was the first time I’ve ever done that in my pro career.”
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Gauff emphasized that she fully respected Kenin’s abilities:
“She’s no easy opponent. I knew I had to be on my game, and maybe because I respect her so much, I was really locked in.
“She’s the type of player you never feel comfortable against, regardless of the score.”
‘Double Bagel’ History and Taylor Fritz’s Warning
A 6-0 set win, often referred to as a ‘bagel’, is rare at this level—let alone two in a row. Gauff became the first American to defeat a former Major champion with a 6-0, 6-0 scoreline since Lindsay Davenport did so against Maria Sharapova at Indian Wells 2005.
During her post-match press conference, Gauff was reminded of Taylor Fritz’s belief that starting a match with a 6-0 set can sometimes be a curse.
Asked if she shared that concern, Gauff admitted:
“I wasn’t thinking about that today, but after the match, I did.
“I had a little bit of nerves—only in the first game of the second set—because I really wanted to hold serve. Sometimes, momentum can change quickly.
“At 5-0, I really wanted the 6-0, so I was a bit nervous at that moment too.”
‘Really Great Tennis’ from Gauff
Despite the one-sided nature of the match, Gauff acknowledged that Kenin might not have been at her best but took pride in her own performance.
“I don’t think she was sick or anything—not that I noticed.
“I was definitely playing well today, and maybe she wasn’t at her peak.
“I don’t think anyone playing their best tennis would have had that scoreline today. But I think it was a combination of me playing really well and her not playing as well.”
At just 21 years old, Gauff also became the youngest player to register a 6-0, 6-0 victory in the Miami Open Women’s Singles draw since Madison Keys in 2013.
With her dominant start, Gauff now looks ahead to her third-round match against Maria Sakkari, aiming to continue her impressive run on home soil.
