The Miami Open continues this week as Coco Gauff faces Sofia Kenin as Danielle Collins goes up against Sorana Cirstea in the competition’s round of 64. Damien Kayat previews.
2025 ATP Tour – Masters 1000
Miami Open
Miami Gardens
Selected RO 64 – 20 March
Coco Gauff 31/100 | Sofia Kenin 24/10
This all-American clash feels much more important than it would have five months ago. 2023 US Open champ Coco Gauff is in the midst of a mini-existential crisis.
She ended 2024 in exultant fashion, winning her maiden WTA Finals title in what felt like an ominous performance. And she looked serene in the opening salvos of this season, helping guide USA to the United Cup before a solid quarterfinal showing at the Aussie Open.
She has just lost her rhythm since Melbourne, going 2-3 in her subsequent three events (including two first-round Middle East exits). She has been fighting some serious serving demons this year (she served a frankly incredible 38 double faults at Indian Wells).
Her forehand has also been vulnerable, and she desperately needs to make a statement this fortnight. Gauff is one of the most talented players on the planet, using her unparalleled athleticism and vicious groundstrokes to bully opponents.
I just think she has lost her way trying to replicate the all-out physicality of Aryna Sabalenka.
2020 Aussie Open champ Sofia Kenin continued her encouraging recent form, taking down Petra Kvitova 6-4, 7-5 in what could have been a tricky first-round encounter.
Kenin stood firm in the face of Kvitova’s serving barrage, absorbing 13 aces but punishing the Czech on her 2nd delivery (she won 70% of her 2nd serve return points).
Kenin was brilliant on her own serve, winning 71% of her first-serve points. Kenin is now 10-7 for the season. She was particularly impressive in Dubai, accounting for the trio of Vekic, Paolini and Kostyuk. I think that these conditions will probably feel similar to those found in Dubai. Kenin is moving better with every match and her forehand looks to be in tiptop shape.
Her victory over Kvitova improved her humdrum Miami record to 6-5. But she will know that Gauff is vulnerable and will look to capitalize on this opportunity.
The Verdict: Kenin to win in three 3/1
Gauff and Kenin share the head-to-head spoils at two wins apiece, with Gauff winning their most recent meeting at this year’s Aussie Open (in straight sets).
I’m going for the ‘Hail Mary’ shot here. Kenin has been battle-hardened in recent weeks and should pose a stern test for Gauff. She is hitting cleanly off both wings and serving with great efficiency: she landed 88% of her first serves against Kvitova. This is also the only WTA 1000 event in which Gauff has failed to reach a quarterfinal.
Danielle Collins 58/100 | Sorana Cirstea 13/10
Combative American Danielle Collins will be hoping to draw on some positive muscle memory as she looks to rediscover the form that saw her lift last year’s Miami crown. Collins was in scintillating form this time last year, winning back-to-back titles in Miami and Charleston (she ultimately decided to reverse her retirement plans at the end of the season).
But she hasn’t been anywhere near that level this year, bringing a lukewarm 3-3 record into these championships. She did manage to ruffle a few feathers in Melbourne, cheekily goading the crowd as she downed hometown hopeful Destanee Aiava.
She took some time off after her 3rd round Aussie Open defeat, returning to action with an early exit at Indian Wells (she was soundly beaten by Elina Svitolina).
Affectionally known as ‘Danimal’, Collins plays a brand of high-octane, first-strike tennis that can yield inconsistent results. Still, she should feel comfortable returning to the site of her greatest tennis triumph.
Romanian Sorana Cirstea endured an awful start to her 2025 campaign, going 1-4 in her first five events. But she started to regain her composure after that, reaching back-to-back quarterfinals in Dubai and Austin.
She picked up some impressive scalps over the course of those events, beating the likes of Navarro, Kasatkina and Shnaider in the process. She even impressed in defeat at Indian Wells, going down in a tight three-set struggle with Emma Navarro.
Cirstea wasn’t at her fluid best in her Miami Opener, taking down Italian clay-court specialist Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 7-6. The hard-hitting Romanian has some real pedigree in this event, reaching the semifinals back in 2023.
She reached the 4th round last year despite generally poor form. She- like Collins- is a risk-reward type player who isn’t going to die wondering. She just needs to keep those pesky unforced errors in check if she wishes to dispose of the reigning champ.
The Verdict: Collins to win in three sets 32/10
Collins leads the head-to-head 2-0, conquering Cirstea in the 4th round of last year’s Miami Open. However, Collins hasn’t beaten a top 50 player since overcoming Beatriz Haddad Mami at last year’s Wimbledon Championships.
So, Cirstea is probably in better form coming into this match. I do think that Collins will find a way to elevate her performance in front of this rambunctious home crowd. I expect this to be an error-riddled affair, with Collins emerging victorious in three.
