Coco Gauff has experienced a turbulent start to the 2025 season. She began the year on a high note after winning the WTA Finals in 2024 and carried that momentum into the United Cup, where she led Team USA to a second consecutive title. However, her performance took a downturn following a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open. Her struggles continued with consecutive early losses at the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships. Now, the World No. 3 appears to be finding her form again at the Indian Wells tournament, having advanced to the Round of 16. Despite her resurgence, she acknowledges that the path ahead remains challenging.
Gauff Battles Through Tough Matches at Indian Wells
After suffering three consecutive losses in previous tournaments, Gauff arrived at the BNP Paribas Open looking to regain her footing. Her opening match saw her face Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. Though Gauff ultimately secured the victory, it was a hard-fought battle. Uchijima pushed the American star to the limit, forcing a decisive third set before Gauff managed to close the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4) win. Reflecting on her performance, Gauff admitted, “It wasn’t my best tennis at all today.”
One of the key aspects of the match was Uchijima’s tactical focus on targeting Gauff’s forehand—a strategy that has been a point of discussion in recent matches. Similar tactics were employed by McCartney Kessler during their encounter at the Dubai Tennis Championships. In that match, 34 out of Gauff’s 42 unforced errors came from her forehand side, raising questions about whether it remains a vulnerability in her game.
A similar approach was taken by Maria Sakkari in their Round of 32 clash at Indian Wells. Sakkari continuously directed her shots toward Gauff’s forehand, attempting to exploit any inconsistencies. However, this time, Gauff successfully navigated the challenge, securing a victory and avenging her loss to Sakkari in last year’s Indian Wells semifinals.
After reaching the Round of 16, Gauff addressed the recurring discussion about her forehand in a press conference on March 10. Acknowledging that opponents deliberately target that side of her game, she responded, “Yeah, I mean, obviously that’s the game plan against me.” However, she was quick to defend her forehand, emphasizing that it is not a weakness but rather a strength when she is able to position herself correctly. “I think people just don’t feel comfortable necessarily just putting a ball there. If I get a neutral ball, especially on that end of the court, on these courts, I try to be aggressive with it,” she explained. When told that Uchijima had admitted to feeling “trapped” due to Gauff’s aggressive forehand, the American was pleased, saying, “I’m glad to kind of hear my opponent felt trapped on that (smiling).”
Gauff Set for a Rematch Against Bencic
Gauff’s next challenge at Indian Wells will be a familiar opponent—Belinda Bencic. The two last met in the fourth round of the Australian Open, where Gauff emerged victorious in three sets, winning 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Now, they are set to face off again in the same stage at Indian Wells.
Bencic, who returned to the tour after giving birth in April 2024, has shown strong form in recent months. Although she fell short in their Australian Open encounter, she rebounded impressively by winning the Abu Dhabi Open. In that tournament, she defeated defending champion Elena Rybakina in the semifinals before overcoming Ashlyn Krueger in the final with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Her most recent outing at the Dubai Tennis Championships was less successful, as she was eliminated in the Round of 32 by Emma Navarro in a tight match (7-6(8), 2-6, 6-3). However, she has regained her rhythm at Indian Wells, defeating Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the opening round before overcoming Amanda Anisimova and Diana Shnaider in subsequent matches to secure her spot in the Round of 16.
This upcoming clash between Gauff and Bencic promises to be an exciting rematch. While Gauff leads their head-to-head record 2-1, Bencic has proven to be a formidable opponent. The Swiss player will undoubtedly be looking for redemption after her Australian Open defeat. Given their recent performances, this match is expected to be highly competitive, with both players eager to advance to the quarterfinals.
As Gauff continues her campaign at Indian Wells, all eyes will be on whether she can maintain her aggressive play and neutralize her opponents’ attempts to exploit her forehand. The matchup against Bencic could serve as another test of her ability to adjust under pressure. Will she secure another victory, or will Bencic turn the tables this time?