Coco Gauff put together another strong showing in Miami, reaching the final and continuing to establish herself as a regular presence at the top of the women’s game.
It was another good week for Gauff, who has faced her fair share of criticism this past year but managed to play her way into the title match in Florida. Even though she fell short against Aryna Sabalenka, it was still an encouraging run from Gauff. The American battled through four three-set matches along the way, showing plenty of grit and determination.
The 21-year-old moves up to world number three in the rankings after Miami, jumping ahead of six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.
After climbing back up to third in the world, there’s a fair question to ask: does that ranking reflect where Gauff truly stands among today’s best players?
Steve Johnson weighs in on whether Coco Gauff is now the third-best player in the world
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have clearly established themselves as the two standout players on the WTA Tour right now.
The two, holding down the top spots in the rankings, have been setting the pace for everyone else.
Rybakina picked up her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne, while Sabalenka made history by joining an elite group of women to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’.
Speaking on the Nothing Major Show, former world number 21 Steve Johnson weighed in on whether Coco Gauff has moved into that third spot behind them.
“I would say it’s similar to the men’s side,” Johnson said. “There are two players who are more dominant than everyone else. I feel like on the women’s though, they have so much variability.
“I feel like Coco is the third best player if the serve is adequate, if the serve is not there then she does have some trouble.”
“The way she was able to play in that final, she is the first person to take a set off Sabalenka other than Rybakina this year, which is a joke.”
“And watching the crowd get into it for Coco, obviously we are in the States and it’s kind of a home event for her, but she has ability to draw on the crowd and get it going and get energy there,” Johnson added.
“I think she probably is the best competitor on the women’s side and that goes a long way.
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