In a nail-biting showdown at Rome’s Italian Open, fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff triumphed over China’s Zheng Qinwen 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(4) in a grueling semifinal match on Thursday. The victory marks Gauff’s first entry into the tournament’s final since 2016, ending an eight-year drought for American players.
Zheng, seeded eighth and facing Gauff for the third time this season, struggled early as her opponent seized a 2-0 lead. But the Chinese star rallied, breaking Gauff twice to claw back to 3-2. The first set saw dramatic momentum shifts, with both players trading breaks before Gauff clinched the tiebreak 7-3.
The second set began with Zheng dominating, securing a 3-0 lead through aggressive play. Though Gauff fought back, Zheng sealed the set 6-4 to level the match. The decider mirrored the intensity of the opener, culminating in another tiebreak where Gauff’s composure proved decisive.
The match’s high-stakes rallies and strategic adaptability captivated fans, highlighting the rising rivalry between the 20-year-old Gauff and 22-year-old Zheng. Gauff now advances to face Poland’s Iga Świątek in Saturday’s final, while Zheng exits with her best-ever performance at the Italian Open.
