On May 17, 2025, Coco Gauff reached the Italian Open final in Rome, setting up a thrilling clash with home favorite Jasmine Paolini after a dramatic semifinal victory over Zheng Qinwen. The Coco Gauff vs. Zheng match, the longest women’s singles contest of 2025 at three hours and 32 minutes, showcased her resilience and clay-court prowess.
This article recaps Coco Gauff’s journey, analyzes her semifinal performance, and previews the final, offering fans a deep dive into a defining moment for the American star.
Background: Gauff’s Clay-Court Resurgence
Coco Gauff, the world No. 3 and 2023 US Open champion, has been a force on clay in 2025, reaching back-to-back WTA 1000 finals in Madrid and Rome.
After losing to Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid, Coco Gauff arrived at the Italian Open (May 7-18) with a 10-1 record in her last 11 matches, per BBC Sport. Her partnership with Alexandra Eala in doubles and a bye into the second round set the stage for a deep run, per Olympics.com.
The Italian Open, a key French Open tune-up, saw Coco Gauff dispatch Victoria Mboko, Magda Linette, Emma Raducanu, and Mirra Andreeva en route to the semifinals, per Tennis.com.
Her semifinal against Olympic champion Zheng, who ousted world No. 1 Sabalenka, was a test of endurance, with Coco Gauff rallying from 3-5 down in the third set, per The Times of India. A comical moment—serving to an empty court—added levity to her gritty win, per The Times of India.
Semifinal Breakdown: Gauff’s Marathon Triumph
The Coco Gauff vs. Zheng semifinal, a 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(4) epic, featured 19 service breaks and 49 winners, with Gauff’s 27 edging Zheng’s 22, per Olympics.com. Gauff’s net play and stronger service numbers—despite six breaks in the decider- sealed the tiebreak victory after an energy-sapping rally, per Outlook India. Her 11 forehand winners and improved footwork, honed for Roland Garros, were pivotal, per Tennis.com.
According to ESPN, Zheng’s tenacity, following her upset of Sabalenka, tested Coco Gauff’s capabilities, as the American battled exhaustion and saved match points. Gauff’s 28th career top-10 victory and her 3-0 head-to-head victory over Zheng were lauded in posts on X, such as @TheTennisLetter. According to BBC Sport, Gauff’s longest-ever match ensured her ascent to world No. 2, surpassing Iga Swiatek.
Final Preview: Gauff vs. Paolini
Coco Gauff faces sixth seed Jasmine Paolini, who defeated Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 to reach her first Italian Open final, per BBC Sport. Paolini, a 2024 Olympic doubles gold medalist and Billie Jean King Cup champion, thrives on home soil, with a 16-8 record entering Rome, per Olympics.com. Her doubles semifinal with Sara Errani adds pressure, but her “tiny-but-mighty” style, per Olympics.com, could challenge Gauff’s defense.
According to Outlook India, Gauff’s lineage is highlighted by her 10 WTA 1000 semifinals before the age of 22, which put her behind only Hingis and the Williams twins. But Paolini is a threat because of her crowd support and clay-court perseverance.
According to ESPN, analysts have Gauff at -200 odds because of her 9-1 clay record in 2025. According to The Times of India, Gauff’s serve and Paolini’s baseline aggression could determine the outcome of the final, which will air on Tennis Channel at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Why Coco Gauff’s Run Matters
Coco Gauff’s Italian Open final berth is a milestone, marking her as the third-youngest player to reach four WTA 1000 finals since 2009, behind only Wozniacki and Swiatek, per Outlook India. For fans, her resilience against Zheng and rise to No. 2 signal a French Open threat.
The Coco Gauff vs. Paolini final, with its contrast of American power and Italian grit, promises drama, especially if Paolini becomes the first home women’s champion in 40 years, per BBC Sport. Gauff’s journey captivates, blending athleticism, humor, and heart. Read more.
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