Coco Gauff Reflects on Difficult Rome Escape After 3-in-3 Feat: “She Was K*lling Me”

Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates during her match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images ©Mike Frey-Imagn Images Coco Gauf f has transformed her Italian Open run into a nerve-shredding thriller, rallying from a double-break hole against Solana Sierra to charge into the fourth round. She then stared down defeat and saved a match point against fellow American Iva Jovic before surviving another exhausting three-set battle.

Now, after watching a 5-1, two-break cushion nearly vanish against No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva , Gauff finally escaped Rome with her nerves and title hopes still alive. “I felt when the balls were getting heavy, it was tough,” Coco Gauff said during her post-match press conference after surviving another dramatic battle at the Italian Open.

“There was one game where I just felt like I could not get the return deep. I ended up winning the game. I just felt like I couldn’t get it deep enough in the court.

She was k*lling me on the short balls,” Gauff added while explaining the tactical challenges she faced against Mirra Andreeva. Particularly during the opening set, Gauff frequently looked to finish rallies at the net as both players produced several rapid-fire volley exchanges. Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Coco Gauff of the United States hits a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium.