Coco Gauff reached the BNP Paribas Open round of 16 for the third straight year, after overcoming two-time Indian Wells finalist Maria Sakkari in straight sets. 

Gauff, who escaped her opening-round match in three sets despite having 21 double-faults, was back to her best as she sealed a 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 win in one hour and 35 minutes. 

The encounter started with two breaks for both players as they traded blows in the early exchanges, with the opener taken the distance after Gauff squandered set point. 

And it was the number three seed who edged ahead, with the American opening the second set with a break of her own, which set the tone for the remainder of the match. 

Gauff then missed five match points as Sakkari attempted to keep the contest going, but the former US Open champion sealed the win with a remarkable forehand winner. 

"Resilience, I guess," Gauff said when asked what she will take away from Monday's win. "Overall, it was much better than the previous match.

"[I'm] just trying to keep getting better as the rounds go on. I lost to Maria last year in the semi-final, so it felt good to get a little revenge today, even though I love her."

Gauff will meet either Diana Shnaider or a resurgent Belinda Bencic in the next round. 

 

 

 

 

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Data Debrief: Revenge is sweet for Gauff

This result marked a much-needed win for Gauff over a former top-three player, with this victory a form of revenge for the 20-year-old, having been beaten by Sakkari at the semi-final stage of the 2024 edition at Indian Wells. 

The victory saw Gauff become the first American player to make the round of 16 at Indian Wells for three years in a row since Venus Williams (2017 to 2019), and the youngest American since Serena Williams (1999 to 2001).

Although, there were still signs of sloppiness in her serve. Gauff had nine double faults in the contest, though six of those came in an enthralling final game.