Cocciaretto Advances at Miami Open, Faces Gauff in Second Round

Miami, FL – Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy secured a decisive victory over Darja Semenistaja in the first round of the WTA 1000 Miami Open on Friday, March 20, 2026. Cocciaretto defeated Semenistaja 6-4, 6-1 in just over an hour and thirteen minutes.

Cocciaretto Overcomes Semenistaja

The 25-year-vintage Cocciaretto, ranked No. 44 in the WTA rankings, defeated Semenistaja, a lucky loser ranked No. 103, for the third time in as many matches. This marks Cocciaretto’s first win in five participations at the Miami Open.

Cocciaretto started strong, winning four consecutive games to take an early lead in the first set. After a brief rally from Semenistaja, Cocciaretto closed out the set 6-4 after 40 minutes. The second set was more one-sided, with Cocciaretto dominating to win 6-1.

Next Up: A Tough Match Against Coco Gauff

With this win, Cocciaretto advances to the second round where she will face No. 4 seed Coco Gauff. Gauff received a first-round bye. Gauff has expressed her desire to make a breakthrough at the Miami Open, a tournament she considers a “bucket-list” event.

The match between Cocciaretto and Gauff promises to be a challenging contest, as Gauff aims for a strong performance on home soil.

WTA Miami Open: Key Storylines

The WTA Miami Open is already seeing notable action. Other early results include advancements for Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina in Indian Wells, setting the stage for potential semifinal matchups. Iga Swiatek also secured a win in Indian Wells, while Mirra Andreeva is also emerging as a player to watch.