Coco Gauff overcomes Alycia Parks at Miami Open but biggest weakness persists

Coco Gauff continued her strong run at the Miami Open with a hard-fought victory over fellow American Alycia Parks, but lingering concerns around her serve once again stole the spotlight.

Gauff battles through tough test

Gauff secured her second career win over Parks in a challenging encounter that tested her adaptability. Despite eventually pulling away, the match was far from straightforward, with Parks pushing the world No. 4 early on.

“It was really difficult,” Gauff admitted. “She was playing really well and she’s one of those people who’s hit or miss sometimes.”

The contest forced Gauff to walk a fine line between aggression and consistency, something she acknowledged post-match.

“So, you’re stuck in the fine line of being aggressive but also maybe just making her play. And I think I got too stuck on the other end of it.”

Adjustments turn the tide for Coco Gauff

After struggling to find rhythm early, Coco Gauff made key tactical changes that helped her regain control of the match.

“And then the second and third, I just tried to be aggressive when I could. I made some adjustments on the return and I think that made a difference.”

Those adjustments proved decisive, allowing her to dominate the latter stages and secure progression in the tournament.

Double fault concerns persist

While the win highlighted Gauff’s resilience, it also underscored a recurring issue—her serve. The American recorded eight double faults during the match, continuing a troubling trend.

Gauff has already accumulated 120 double faults in the 2026 season, the highest tally on tour. Notably, she also topped this unwanted list in both 2024 and 2025, making it a persistent weakness in her game.

Despite the serving struggles, Coco Gauff’s overall performance continues to deliver results. Her ability to adjust mid-match and stay composed under pressure remains a defining strength.

She now turns her attention to a round-of-16 clash against Sorana Cîrstea, carrying both momentum and areas for improvement into the next stage.