World No. 3 Coco Gauff faced a tough battle against Mirra Andreeva, needing five match points to secure a 4-6, 0-2, 6-4 victory and advance to the Italian Open semifinals for the fourth time. Gauff, a 15-time 1000-level WTA Tour semifinalist, is only the second player in the Open Era to achieve three or more comeback wins at the Italian Open, following Nathalie Tauziat in 1989.
In the upcoming semifinal, Gauff will face Sorana Cirstea for a chance to reach the final, marking their third meeting this season and in consecutive tournaments. Andreeva initially held a 3-1 lead in the first set, displaying strong play with 10 winners and minimal unforced errors. However, Gauff’s resilience and speed propelled her to victory, despite Andreeva’s efforts.
Although Gauff dominated the second set with a 3-0 lead, Andreeva fought back, forcing a decider. Gauff seemed poised for an easy win with a 5-1 lead in the final set, but Andreeva’s determination led to a tense conclusion. Gauff’s strategic play and Andreeva’s errors ultimately determined the outcome of the match.
