Coco Gauff edges out good friend Alycia Parks to return to Miami fourth round

MIAMI, Fla.—Coco Gauff’s quest for a “bucket-list” first Miami Open title remains on track after a topsy-turvy third-round victory over good friend Alycia Parks, 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.

The No. 4 seed overcame physical challenges—she had been dealing with “something nerve-related” in her forearm that forced her to retire at Indian Wells—as well as the “nerves” of playing at home in Miami. She also had to put friendship aside to advance to the fourth round.

“It’s definitely funny… You have to win because you’re playing against each other,” Gauff told press afterward. “But in the middle of the match, I was thinking, ‘Oh this would be a great win for her! Taking me out of the equation,’” she added, laughing.

“But then you turn back on your competitive mode and you’re like, Okay I gotta win.”

Read More: Coco Gauff optimistic in Miami after nerve issue forced Indian Wells retirement

Both were born in Atlanta but have deep roots in South Florida—25-year-old Parks from Port St. Lucie and 22-year-old Gauff from Delray Beach—the pair met at “like seven or eight years old” and grew up in the same tennis circles.

On Saturday evening, they even had mutual friends in the stands at Hard Rock Stadium for only their second professional meeting. Gauff had won comfortably when they first faced off at the 2024 Australian Open, 6-0, 6-2.

Parks, currently ranked No. 105 in the world, proved a much tougher opponent in Miami—perhaps thanks in part to her work as Serena Williams’ regular hitting partner, training with the 23-time Grand Slam champion “probably three times a week” when she’s home.

WATCH: Alycia Parks is practicing with Serena Williams "three times a week" | Tennis Channel Live

She applied pressure on Gauff’s vulnerable serve, breaking twice in the first set, but couldn’t maintain the level as Gauff dialed up her aggression. The match swung back in Gauff’s favor as she won the second set to love and she dropped just one game in the third to close out the win.

“She was playing really well, and she’s one of those people that’s hit or miss sometimes," Gauff explained. "You’re just stuck in the fine line of being aggressive, and just making her play.

“I think I got too stuck on the other end of it, and in the second and third sets I just tried to be aggressive when I could. I made some adjustments on the return, and I think that made a difference.”

Gauff booked her spot in Miami’s round of 16 for the fourth time. She has yet to go past this stage at her home tournament and will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea next for a spot in the quarterfinals.