As for Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, two Americans right behind Gauff in the rankings, Davenport believes the Miami Open is better suited for Pegula’s game, and admits that the court conditions in California are tougher for Keys to handle.
“Madison has played OK there, but it’s never been her favorite surface.” said her former coach. “She’s got some early losses there, but I think it should help her. It’s just tougher to hit through the court there. I know they’re hunkered down and focused on how she can really make a good run at Roland Garros. She’s a great mover on clay.”
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Where the men are concerned, there was one name on Davenport’s tongue: Carlitos.
“[Alcaraz] is the favorite in everyone’s mind based on his past play—obviously without [Jannik] Sinner there as well,” she said. “The surface gives him more time to set up his forehands. It gives him more time to hit his drop shots. The ball is not skidding into him. He can still hit big enough to hit through the conditions, later in the day, at night sometimes when it gets a little heavier and a little cooler.”
