“I don’t think she should get so much negative comments,” Bencic said of Gauff, who has struggled with her serve since winning Roland Garros last spring.

The American has managed to slough off a mediocre start to the year to reach the Miami final. And here’s the kicker: the tour is moving to clay.

“I was trying to remind myself I’m strong enough to handle that," the world No. 1 said on Tennis Channel after a tense three-set win.