© Getty Photos Sport – Carmen Mandato
Coco Gauff admitted in her Miami Open press convention that she wish to face Naomi Osaka subsequent however then the Japanese misplaced her third-round match and the American’s hopes of assembly the four-time Grand Slam champion ended.
On Sunday, world No. 3 Gauff crushed qualifier Oceane Dodin 6-4 6-0 to achieve the Miami round-of-16. After Gauff, the following on the courtroom had been Osaka and Caroline Garcia, with the winner getting a crack on the top-ranked American feminine tennis participant within the round-of-16.
After ousting Dodin, Gauff was requested about Osaka coming to look at one among her US Open matches final yr – two months after giving delivery, the 26-year-old Japanese visited the US Open as a visitor.
Answering the query, Gauff referred to as Osaka “a champion” and highlighted she’d prefer to face her in Miami. Additionally, Gauff admitted that she was anticipating to play Osaka within the Indian Wells round-of-16 two weeks in the past however then the previous world No. 1 misplaced to Elise Mertens.
“I knew that she got here to the match after the match. I truly did not see her within the stands,” Gauff stated.
“Yeah, I believe I anticipated to play her once more when she got here again on tour. Particularly her not being seeded as a result of her rating dropped slightly bit, you are going to get her ultimately. I actually thought I used to be going to play her in Indian Wells.
“I am hoping to play her right here. I believe now we have nice matches towards one another. She’s undoubtedly a champion of our sport. No matter her being gone, I nonetheless suppose she’s among the best arduous courtroom gamers. Will probably be an actual check for me.”
However after Gauff made these statements, Osaka went on to lose to Garcia 6-7 (4) 5-7. Had Osaka defeated Garcia, she and Gauff would have met for the fifth time of their careers in Miami – the head-to-head between them stands at 2-2.
Gauff on going through Garcia
A Gauff and Osaka match would have been extraordinarily enticing on paper however the one between Gauff and Garcia additionally appears extraordinarily thrilling. When Gauff, 20, and 30-year-old Garcia meet in Miami, will probably be the fifth time that they’re going through one another.
After beating Garcia of their first assembly in 2021 Indian Wells, Gauff additionally defeated the Frenchwoman in Doha the next yr. However Garcia responded of their final two matches, beating Gauff on the 2022 US Open and the 2022 WTA Finals.
Forward of her first assembly towards 2022 WTA Finals champion Garcia in a yr and a half, Gauff confirmed the last word respect for the Frenchwoman.
“Additionally with Caroline, she’s all the time a troublesome participant to play. I believe the newest time we performed was US Open like two years in the past. In all probability even sooner. I am unable to bear in mind the newest time. I believe I misplaced to her the newest time,” Gauff stated of going through Garcia.
“She’s powerful. Everyone knows how she performs. Takes the ball tremendous early, performs very aggressive.”
Gauff on ousting Dodin, how she is feeling in Miami
Gauff truly did not make a very good begin as Dodin had a 4-2 lead and two break factors for a 5-2 lead. However Gauff survived the powerful seventh sport after which did not drop a single sport within the the rest of the match. In the long run, Gauff completed the match on a 10-game run.
“I believe right now was simply being aggressive towards her. She’s a giant hitter. She likes the sport on her phrases. I used to be attempting my finest to get deep within the courtroom and simply climate the storm,” Gauff stated.
Up to now, Gauff has had two straight-set wins in Miami as she additionally destroyed Nadia Podoroska 6-1 6-2 in her match opener. Whereas Gauff is well-adjusted to the Florida situations, she admits she has but to completely regulate to the courtroom.
“Yeah, I am from right here, so I am very used to the warmth. I do suppose, like, middle courtroom is slower than the follow courts, however faster than it was at Indian Wells. It’s nonetheless, like I really feel like I am adjusting to the courtroom,” Gauff stated.
“General I really feel good so for. I am attempting to enhance with every match. Undoubtedly taking part in slightly bit higher than I used to be final week in Indian Wells. Actually proud of how I am enhancing.”
Going into right now’s match with Garcia, Gauff actually enters as the favourite regardless of the Frenchwoman being a troublesome opponent. It stays to be seen if Gauff can finish her two-match shedding streak towards Garcia and attain her first Miami quarterfinal.