Who is the better matchup for Coco Gauff in the 2026 Miami Open final: Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?

Coco Gauff‘s improbable run through the Miami Open singles draw continues. She defeated Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1 to advance to her first career Miami Open singles final.

She is 18 days removed from the Indian Wells match where she was forced to retire with a nerve issue in her left arm. Those on her team advised her to skip the Miami Open because of the injury.

Had it been any other tennis tournament, a Gauff withdrawal would have happened. The Florida native amd 2023 Miami Open doubles champion (with Jessica Pegula) desperately wants to win a Miami Open singles title.

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A relaxed Coco Gauff playing freely can beat anyone

Maybe it is the lower expectations because of her recent injury or the comfort of being at home, but Gauff is playing the best tennis of her 2026 season. She dominated Muchova who committed an uncharacteristic 30+ unforced errors and won just two games.

Gauff will face the winner of the Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka semifinal. She is the last American standing in singles as Frances Tiafoe fell to Jannik Sinner earlier in the day.

Taylor Townsend (with Katerina Siniakova) and Austin Krajicek (with Nikola Mektic) are the Americans left in the doubles draws.

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Who is better for Gauff: Rybakina or Sabalenka?

Surprisingly, Coco Gauff has only played Elena Rybakina one time, and she won the match, nearly four years ago in three sets at the 2022 Canadian Open.

Her battles with Sabalenka have been much more plentiful. She is 6-6 in her career against the World No. 1 and has beaten her on the biggest stages: the 2023 US Open, 2025 French Open, and 2024 WTA Finals, to name a few.

Sabalenka would probably be the preferred matchup because she is more familiar with her game and has had success against it. Rybakina has playing at a much higher level than back at the 2022 Canadian Open so there would be some uncertainty for Gauff in that matchup. Both are tough opponents, and Gauff will have to bring her best game regardless of who is on the other side of the net.

Watch the Miami Open women’s final on Saturday, March 28 at 3 PM ET on Tennis Channel.

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