Coco Gauff delivered one of her most commanding performances of the week in the 2026 Miami Open semifinal, and her former coach Brad Gilbert believes the explanation is simple.
After watching Gauff dismantle Karolína Muchová 6-1, 6-1, Gilbert pointed to the American’s ability to stretch rallies and apply relentless pressure as the key factor behind yet another one-sided result in their head-to-head rivalry.
Brad Gilbert Explains Why Coco Gauff Constantly Troubles Karolina Muchova
Entering the tournament with a nerve issue in her left arm that forced her to retire from Indian Wells, the world No. 4 had to grind through a series of demanding matches. She opened with a hard-fought victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
She followed with another three-set battle against Alycia Parks, dropping the first set 3-6 but rallying to win the next two 6-0, 6-1. Her round of 16 match against Sorana Cîrstea was equally grueling, as Gauff secured a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win to book her place in the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, Gauff faced 12th seed Belinda Bencic in a thrilling contest. After a strong 6-3 start, Gauff hit a slump in the second set, losing 1-6, but clawed back from a deficit in the third to win 6-3. That victory set up a semifinal clash against Muchová, which turned out to be Gauff’s most dominant performance of the week.
Against Muchová, Gauff flipped the script entirely. After being broken in the first game, she went on a tear, winning 10 consecutive games to dismantle Muchová 6-1, 6-1 in just 80 minutes, extending her head-to-head dominance over the Czech to 6-0.
Gilbert, analyzing the matchup, emphasized how Gauff’s style consistently disrupts Muchová’s rhythm. “Very routine win for Gauff vs Muchova, that’s 12-13 sets she’s won in this matchup, Coco ability to extend rally’s and gets the ball up that really troubles KM,” he wrote on X.
very routine win for Gauff vs Muchova, that’s 12-13 sets she’s won in this matchup, Coco ability to extend rally’s and gets the ball up that really troubles KM
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 26, 2026
In August 2023, Gilbert joined Gauff’s team, leading to titles in Washington and Cincinnati, and her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open. The partnership ended in September 2024, following her fourth-round exit at the US Open.
Gauff is now set to compete in the final, where she will face either top seed Aryna Sabalenka or third seed Elena Rybakina. This marks her sixth WTA 1000 final appearance and a chance to capture the singles title at an event where she previously won the doubles crown in 2023.
