Coco Gauff gives latest update on arm injury after reaching Miami Open semifinals

Coco Gauff has advanced to the Miami Open semifinals despite recently dealing with an arm injury that kept her out of Indian Wells.

Gauff was forced to withdraw from her match against Alexandra Eala in California earlier this month, putting her participation in Miami in question.

But she has since recovered and is through to the final four of the Miami Open for the first time in her career.

Gauff now faces Karolina Muchova for a place in the final and a chance to secure another big win on home soil.

Coco Gauff plays down arm injury ahead of Miami semifinal

Speaking after her win over Belinda Bencic, Gauff told reporters: “Honestly my arm I did not feel at all today and I was thinking in mid second set that I did not feel it at all, and then I felt it in the third set when I was 40-0 up.

“I took some Advil and was fine. It is doing well.

“I think for the fact that I did not feel it until the third set today and it was only on sporadic kind of shots, it’s such a weird thing because I only feel it sporadically, but it’s way better than Indian Wells when I felt it on every shot.

“Here I only feel it sporadically and it’s not something that is affecting my play.”

Gauff has been forced to work hard for her spot in the semifinals, with each of her four wins coming in three-set battles.

She has come through against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Alycia Parks, Sorana Cirstea, and now Bencic – each time needing all three sets to get the job done.

Coco Gauff not thinking about Miami Open title

Such a situation has resulted in tennis history, with Gauff now the first WTA top five player to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal only via three-setters en route.

That is according to OptaAce since the format’s introduction in 2009, although the American is fully aware that the job in Miami is far from complete.

“I am not thinking about the title,” said Gauff. “I have played enough of these tournaments to know that the semis is just as far from the title as the first round, honestly.

“I am not thinking about it. I am really happy and proud to be here.

“I definitely did not think this would be the year that would be my breakthrough year but I’ll take it.”

It’s a wise approach from the WTA ace as she prepares to take on Muchova, who has just clinched big wins over Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala.

The two players are familiar with each other’s game. Their last encounter was in Melbourne Park at this year’s Australian Open Round of 16, while their head-to-head record includes notable matches like last year’s Cincinnati final. With four matches behind her already going three sets each, Gauff will need every bit of stamina and focus to keep her unbeaten run against Muchova intact.

Read more: