Coco Gauff defeated Sorana Cîrstea 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals at the Miami Open. A fan's medical emergency in the stands caused a 10-minute delay during the third set. Gauff criticized the tournament's medical response time after the match.
Coco Gauff progressed to the last eight at the Miami Open for the first time at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, overcoming Sorana Cîrstea in a three-set battle that ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The match paused for about 10 minutes in the decisive set when Cîrstea was serving at 0-3. Chair umpire Jennifer Zhang spotted a spectator who had passed out behind the first row and halted play, calling for assistance via walkie-talkie: “On Centre Court, we have a lady passed out in the stands... She needs a drink or an ice towel, anything.” Zhang fetched water and ice herself, while Gauff handed a drink to a ball boy to pass along, and Gauff's physio provided help on site. Tournament director James Blake was courtside during the incident. Play resumed after the fan, who had a leg issue and fainted from shock, received care, prompting applause from the crowd. Gauff later held serve and broke to win. In her press conference, Gauff expressed relief but questioned the response: “I’m glad I heard that she’s okay... I want a bit faster medical team response cuz I felt like it was like 10 minutes, and no one ever actually came. So my physio was the one over there.” She added, “I was a little bit worried because, from where we were standing, it looked like she wasn’t moving.” Gauff also revealed a tactical adjustment inspired by a fan's comment on Threads urging her to approach the net more. “I saw it on Threads... I guess I have to remember that part of my game,” she said, noting it influenced her on match point. This maintained her perfect record against Cîrstea. Gauff faces Belinda Bencic next, leading their head-to-head 4-2.
