World No 26 Anastasia Potapova revealed she decided to just go for it down a set and a break against Cori Gauff and it worked extremely well for her. Potapova, seeded at No 27, surprised sixth-seeded Gauff 6-7 (8) 7-5 6-2 in the Miami third round.
“I think I just let it go, and I started to focus on my tennis and going for my shots and not thinking what she is going to do. I’m really happy to be in the fourth round for the first time; it’s a dream that really came true.
In those tough conditions, it’s not easy to play. Coco is an unbelievable athlete and she has very good fitness. I’m really surprised that I could stay at the same level until the end. Thanks to my fitness coach!” Potapova said after the match, per the WTA website.
How Potapova beat Gauff?
Potapova claimed an early first-set break and the Russian led 5-2 through the first seven games of the match. On the verge of losing the first set, Gauff responded with back-to-back breaks in the ninth and 11th games as the American won four games in a row to take a 6-5 lead.
Just when it seemed Gauff would stunningly steal the first set from Potapova, the Russian broke back the American in the 12th game to force a tie-break. In the first-set tie-break, Gauff saved two set points before converting her second set point to win a tight opener.
After winning the first set, Gauff broke Potapova in the eighth game of the second set for a 5-3 lead. On the brink of elimination, Potapova responded with back-to-back breaks and won the next four games to overturn the deficit and send the match into a decider.
After the first three games of the third set, Gauff had a 2-1 lead without breaks. Then, Potapova claimed back-to-back breaks and won the next five games to complete her comeback win in some style. Potapova, 21, has now been through to the Miami Open round-of-16 for the first time in her career. Potapova plays next against Qinwen Zheng.
