Gauff Lands the Plane in Rome, Despite Andreeva Turbulence

Coco Gauff has spent a lot of time battling through deciding sets this year, so when she entered her 16th decider of 2026 — and 11th since the start of Miami — on Tuesday night in Rome, she looked well-positioned to notch another gritty victory.

The ride was bumpy, the adversary relentless, the ebbs and flows gripping. In the end, it was Gauff’s ability to remain calm amid the chaos that carried her to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva.

“Just trying to stay in there mentally again, Obviously I had a big lead in the third set and it got a little bit close,” Gauff said. “She’s a great player, she’s capable of winning games… I’m glad I was able to win.”

Gauff, now 5-0 against the Russian teenager, will face Sorana Cirstea in the semifinals. She has won all three of their previous meetings.

“We played each other last tournament and it was three sets, so I think it’s going to be another tough match – I’m grateful to be into the semifinals,” Gauff said of the 36-year-old Romanian.

Tuesday’s thrilling clash, which marked Gauff’s third consecutive comeback from a set down in Rome, showcased an abundance of clay-court craft from both players.

After Andreeva snapped a streak of eight consecutive sets lost to her American rival by taking the opener, momentum gradually shifted toward the third seed. Much of Andreeva’s undoing was self-inflicted. She drifted away from the patterns that had worked in the first set, struggled to expose Gauff’s backhand and became visibly frustrated when the match tilted against her.

Gauff, meanwhile, dug in.

Could she maintain her edge over a player she had dominated in their previous four meetings and close out a much-needed victory in the Italian capital?

After dropping serve in the opening game of the third set, Andreeva had an opportunity to seize control but failed to capitalize. Two games later, the No. 8 seed found herself under pressure again.

Gauff, who had already recovered the break, missed a routine overhead on break point with Andreeva serving at 1-2, but she never lost her composure. The marathon game featured two more break points saved by Andreeva, yet Gauff refused to relent. She finally secured the break when Andreeva sailed a drive volley long, giving the two-time major champion her first real foothold in the decider.

Unshaken by Andreeva’s increased aggression, Gauff saved a pair of break points to hold for 4-1, then quickly consolidated for 5-1.

She appeared to be racing toward the finish line, but Andreeva played with gusto, turning a lost cause into one of the most gripping sets of the tournament. Three games later, with the Russian striking the ball fearlessly, the match was suddenly back on serve.

Andreeva went down swinging, producing some brilliant tennis over the final stretch, but a handful of costly decisions — including a few ill-timed drop shots and a risky approach to Gauff’s backhand on a key point — ultimately proved decisive. Gauff survived a gripping 13-minute final game, converting her fifth match point to return to the Rome semifinals for the second consecutive year.