It was probably the most lopsided match between two Grand Slam champions in recent memory. If you missed the 2025 Coco Gauff Sofia Kenin Miami Open clash, honestly, it’s hard to describe just how strange it felt to watch. You have two of the biggest names in American tennis, both major winners, stepping onto the Stadium Court at Hard Rock Stadium. People expected a three-set war.
What they got was a 47-minute total shutdown.
Coco Gauff didn't just win; she delivered a double-bagel—a 6-0, 6-0 scoreline that left the South Florida crowd in a state of stunned silence. It was the quickest match of Gauff’s entire six-year career at that point. For Kenin, who grew up literally minutes away in Pembroke Pines, it was a nightmare homecoming.
Why the Gauff vs. Kenin Rivalry Took Such a Weird Turn
Usually, when these two play, it’s a grind. Think back to the 2020 Australian Open where Kenin knocked Gauff out on her way to the title. Or Wimbledon 2023, where Kenin stunned her again. They were 2-2 in their head-to-head record going into that Miami match.
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The lopsided nature of the Coco Gauff Sofia Kenin Miami Open encounter in 2025 changed the narrative of their rivalry. Gauff was just coming off her 21st birthday, looking sharper than ever, while Kenin seemed to be fighting her own shadows on the court.
- Serving Stats: Gauff won 84% of her first-serve points.
- The Kenin Struggle: Sofia only won 30% of hers.
- The Pace: The first set was over in just 22 minutes.
Kenin had actually beaten Petra Kvitova in the first round and specifically said in her post-match interview that she wanted to play Coco. It’s one of those "be careful what you wish for" moments that sports writers love to bring up. The reality is that Gauff’s movement has become so elite that if you aren't hitting the lines with 100% precision, she just swallows you up.
The Tactical Breakdown: How Gauff Controlled Miami
Most people think Coco Gauff is just a defensive wall. That’s a mistake. In that specific Miami Open round, she was incredibly aggressive. She didn't wait for Kenin to miss; she forced the issue.
While Kenin’s strokes looked like they needed a GPS to find the court, Gauff was painting lines. It wasn't just power; it was the depth of her shots. Kenin is a rhythm player. She likes to redirect pace. But when the ball is constantly landing six inches from the baseline with heavy topspin, you can’t find a rhythm. You just find frustration.
Miami Open Context: A Wild Year for American Tennis
That 2025 tournament was a rollercoaster for the US contingent. While the Coco Gauff Sofia Kenin Miami Open match was the headline of the second round, the joy didn't last forever for the American fans.
Gauff actually ended up falling in the Round of 16 to Magda Linette. It’s kind of the classic Gauff experience—total dominance one day, then 12 double faults the next. She’s currently ranked No. 3 in the world as of early 2026, but that consistency is still the final piece of the puzzle she’s trying to fit into place with her team.
Interestingly, the tournament was eventually won by Aryna Sabalenka, who beat Jessica Pegula in the final. But if you ask a casual fan what they remember from that fortnight in Miami, they usually bring up the "double bagel" first.
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What This Means for Sofia Kenin’s Career
Kenin is a fighter. You can't count her out. Even after that bruising loss in Miami, she clawed her way back into the Top 30 by the start of 2026.
She’s currently sitting at No. 28 in the WTA rankings. That’s a huge jump from where she was a couple of years ago when she fell outside the Top 200. The Miami loss was a setback, sure, but in the grand scheme of things, it served as a wake-up call for her fitness and serve mechanics.
Lessons from the Coco Gauff Sofia Kenin Miami Open Massacre
If you're a young player watching these two, there's a lot to learn here. Tennis is as much about mental state as it is about backhands. Kenin admitted she was nervous because she wanted the match too much. Gauff, on the other hand, treated it like a business trip.
Key takeaways from their recent encounters:
- Serve placement matters more than speed: Gauff didn't just blast aces; she moved Kenin out of the court.
- Short memories are required: Gauff lost her next few matches after that dominant win. You can’t live on yesterday’s 6-0 scoreline.
- Home court pressure is real: Kenin clearly felt the weight of playing in front of her Florida friends and family.
What’s Next for Gauff and Kenin?
As we move through the 2026 season, the shadow of that Miami match still lingers. They are both scheduled for the upcoming hard-court swing, and another meeting is almost inevitable given their rankings.
Gauff is looking to solidify her spot in the Top 2 and maybe take a run at Iga Swiatek or Sabalenka for the No. 1 crown. Kenin is looking to prove she can still beat the elite players, not just survive against them.
Actionable Insights for Tennis Fans:
- Watch the head-to-head: Don't just look at the 3-2 lead Gauff has; look at the surfaces. They are both hard-court specialists, which makes their next meeting on cement a must-watch.
- Monitor the serve: If Gauff is hovering around 5-7 double faults, she's beatable. If she's under 3, she's almost impossible to stop.
- Follow the draw: At the next Miami Open, keep an eye on the second-round matchups. History has a funny way of repeating itself in the 305.
The Coco Gauff Sofia Kenin Miami Open story isn't finished. It’s just in a very loud intermission. Whether Kenin can avenge that double-bagel or Gauff continues to exert her dominance is one of the most compelling subplots in American sports today.
Keep an eye on the live rankings and tournament seeds as we approach the spring—it’s only a matter of time before these two cross paths again under the Florida sun.
Next Steps for You: Check the current WTA live scores to see if Gauff or Kenin are in action this week. You might also want to look at the upcoming Miami Open entry list to see if they are on opposite sides of the bracket this year. All signs point to a major showdown soon.