Poznań’s finest Magda Linette delivers a masterclass at the WTA 1000 Miami Open, eliminating world No. 3 Coco Gauff in straight sets. With her eyes now set on the quarterfinals, Linette’s journey is far from over.
Power, Precision and Polish Spirit
In one of the most talked-about upsets of this year’s WTA 1000 Miami Open, Magda Linette stunned home favourite and world No. 3 Coco Gauff with a commanding 6–4, 6–4 victory in the fourth round. For the 32-year-old from Poznań, it wasn’t just another win—it was a breakthrough moment that reasserted her place among the most dangerous unseeded players in the game today. The victory marked her first career win over Gauff and her fifth against a top-five player, drawing praise from tennis insiders and fans across the globe.
From the very first rally, Magda Linette dictated the terms of engagement. She broke Gauff early in the first set and never looked back, delivering a mixture of smart court coverage, tactical returning, and unflinching calmness under pressure. Even when Gauff attempted a late push, the Pole refused to wobble. Her serve held firm in critical moments, and she made only 20 unforced errors, in stark contrast to Gauff’s 45.
The second set briefly swung in the American’s favour when she led 2–0, but Linette responded with poise and aggression, breaking back immediately and turning the momentum in her favour. It was a battle not just of skill, but of mentality—and Linette’s mental clarity won the day.
Beating Coco for the first time is a huge achievement for me. She’s so tough. Even on her worst days, she’s so, so tough.
Linette told reporters.
The Stage: Miami’s Sunshine and High Stakes
The Miami Open is no ordinary tournament. As a WTA 1000 event — just a tier below the Grand Slams — it offers massive ranking points, global media coverage, and a prize pool pushing $9 million. Played under the Florida sun at the sprawling Hard Rock Stadium, the event draws the world’s top talent and is often seen as a mid-season litmus test of form and fitness.
For Magda Linette, this tournament has already become one of the highlights of her 2024 season. With victories over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Linda Fruhvirtova, and now Coco Gauff—all without dropping a set—she is on the kind of run that few predicted, but many now respect. The performance in Miami is her best result this year and one of the standout moments of her career.
Photo: Geoff Burke / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Linette’s Tennis Journey
Born and raised in Poznań, Linette turned professional in 2009. For over a decade, she flew under the radar, often overshadowed by other Polish talents like Agnieszka Radwańska and more recently, Iga Świątek. But Linette’s rise has been built on perseverance, discipline, and an ability to evolve her game.
She broke into the Top 20 in early 2023 following a brilliant run to the Australian Open semifinals — the deepest Grand Slam performance of her career. Despite the ups and downs of the WTA tour, she’s maintained a strong presence, using her tactical intelligence and athleticism to great effect.
In interviews, Linette often refers back to her Poznań roots, crediting her upbringing and local support networks for shaping her resilience.
I wasn’t the most talented growing up, but I always worked hard. That work ethic has now taken her to the world stage once again.
Linette once said.
Next Up: Magda Linette vs. Jasmine Paolini
Linette’s reward for conquering Gauff? A quarterfinal clash against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, a rising force on tour who recently defeated Naomi Osaka. It promises to be a compelling matchup — Linette leads their head-to-head 2–0, but both players arrive in Miami in top form.
Beyond just a place in the semifinals, the match carries crucial ranking implications for Linette, who is looking to solidify her spot among the world’s top 30 and push even further. With each round in Miami, she edges closer to matching or even surpassing her career-high ranking of No. 19.
I know what Jasmine can do—we’ve played tough matches before. But if I stay focused and disciplined, like I was against Coco, I know I can go deep here.
Linette commented.
Poised for More
No matter how the rest of the tournament unfolds, Magda Linette has already turned heads in Miami. Her calm, focused win over one of the world’s best wasn’t just impressive — it was proof that she’s still got plenty to offer at the top level. It wasn’t flashy or dramatic, just solid tennis played with purpose.
And really, that’s always been Linette’s style — quiet determination, smart decisions, and getting the job done. With Polish fans cheering her on louder than she expected, she’s made this Miami run feel like something special. Whether or not it ends with a trophy, she’s showing once again that you should never count her out.
