American star Coco Gauff has reached her first quarterfinal at the WTA 1000 Miami Open after defeating the 2026 Transylvania Open champion, Sorana Cîrstea, in the round of 16. In the quarterfinal round, Gauff is set to face World No. 12 Belinda Bencic, against whom she shared tense moments during their last clash at the 2025 China Open round of 16.
Coco Gauff Set for Belinda Bencic Rematch Following Strained 2025 Exchange
Gauff has stormed Hard Rock Stadium as the fourth seed after concluding her Indian Wells journey with a left arm injury in the round of 32 against Alexandra Eala. She retired in the second set while trailing 6-2, 2-0, unable to continue, and brought her competition to an end. In Miami, she has been playing impressively despite recovering from the injury.
The World No. 4 surpassed Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the round of 64, then clinched victory over fellow American and friend Alycia Parks in the round of 32.
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In the round of 16, she overcame Cîrstea with a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The thrilling showdown between the stars featured Gauff winning the first set, losing the second, and then coming back strongly to clinch the third.
During the press conference, the American reflected on the win, expressing her thoughts, “I guess it wouldn’t have to happen any other way than to put some work in. I think in the previous times I’ve played here, I’ve had some tough matches. Maybe mentally wasn’t in there. Today I just wanted to stay mentally in there.”
In her next match, Gauff will clash with Bencic, against whom she has a head-to-head record of 4-2. The elite players last faced each other in the round of 16 of the China Open, which Gauff ultimately won, including moments brimming with tension.
The Swiss star won the first set, but in the second, things took a rough turn: at 2-3, Gauff’s point drew joyous cheers from the crowd and her coaching team, which subsequently disturbed Bencic.
READ MORE: Coco Gauff vs Belinda Bencic Preview: Head-to-Head, Prediction for Miami Open 2026
As she spoke to the chair umpire, adding, “When the point is over, it’s no problem, I don’t care. But when I’m going to the line ready to serve, they don’t need to cheer,” as the tension escalated, she replied to Gauff, “No one’s talking to you – she’s talking to me, okay! Your team is chatting. I’m too old for these mind games, okay!”
Whereas Gauff, in a composed manner, had also replied, “There’s nobody in the stadium. It’s been so respectful.” However, after the exchanges, the play resumed, with Gauff taking the win, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.
