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Gauff Overcomes Andreeva in Thriller to Reach Rome Semifinals

Coco Gauff fought off five match points to defeat Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the Italian Open quarterfinals. The American nearly lost a 5-1 third-set lead but secured her 15th WTA 1000 semifinal appearance. Gauff is the second player in the Open Era to notch three comeback wins at the event. She will face Sorana Cirstea for a spot in the final.

Key Points: Gauff Fights Off Andreeva, Reaches Rome Semifinals

  • Gauff wins 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
  • Needed five match points to close out
  • Advances to 15th WTA 1000 semifinal
  • Third comeback win at Italian Open after Tauziat
2 min read

Gauff fends off Andreeva to enter Rome SF

Coco Gauff needed five match points to defeat Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, advancing to the Italian Open semifinals for the fourth time.

"I just tried to stay focused and fight for every point. - Coco Gauff"

Rome, May 13

World No. 3 Coco Gauff required five match points to fight off Mirra Andreeva and advance to the semifinals of the Italian Open for the fourth time in her career.

Nearly seeing a 5-1, two-break lead in the third set against No. 8 seed Andreeva, Gauff needed five match points to secure a 4-6, 0-2, 6-4 win.

The American is through to her 15th 1000-level WTA Tour semifinal and third of 2026 (Dubai and Miami), and is just the second player in the Open Era to claim three or more comeback wins to reach the Italian Open after Nathalie Tauziat (1989).

The 2025 Rome finalist Gauff will next encounter Sorana Cirstea for a spot in the 2026 final, meeting the Romanian for the third time this season and in back-to-back tournaments.

Andreeva held a 3-1 lead in the first set and handled it well at times, often hitting her shots right toward Gauff at the net or finding the open lane for a pass down-the-line or crosscourt. In a close first set, Andreeva finished with 10 winners to just seven unforced errors, and vice versa for Gauff, WTA reports.

Gauff bolted out to a 3-0 lead, up a break, and never looked back in the second set. Andreeva became more frustrated, seemingly rushing to the service line in between points, and recorded 11 unforced errors in the second set as Gauff forced a decider.

It seemed initially Gauff was going to runaway with it, up a double break with a 5-1 lead. Gauff had carried the momentum from the second set, using her significant speed to her advantage and benefitting from some costly Andreeva unforced errors.

She was one game away -- and even two points away -- from her fourth-career 6-1 set against Andreeva, and that's when everything changed.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Honestly, Gauff needs to work on her closing out matches. Five match points to beat a teenager? That's not champion material yet. Remember Sania Mirza used to close out such matches in her prime with much less fuss. But credit where due - the comeback from 1-5 down in the third was special. Indian fans love a fighter!
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Michael C
Classic example of why tennis is the most mentally demanding sport. Gauff's speed around the court is Leander Paes-like - reminds me of how he used to cover the net. But this Andreeva girl is something special. The way she hits down-the-line winners under pressure... she's going to be a top 5 player soon. Great match for Indian viewers to study!
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Vikram M
I was on the edge of my seat watching this. The way Gauff turned it around in the second set - pure grit. But what a shame for Andreeva, she was so close! Tennis in India is growing thanks to players like Sumit Nagal and Ankita Raina, and matches like this inspire our next gen. Rome always delivers drama! 🔥
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Sarah B
Five match points needed? Coco makes things unnecessarily exciting! 😅 But seriously, this is why she's a top player - she finds ways to win even when her game isn't at its best. The stat about being only the second player in Open Era with three comeback wins to reach Rome semis is impressive. Hope she can maintain this form for the final!
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Nikhil C

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