Coco Gauff matches feat first set by Serena and Venus Williams after reaching Italian Open final
Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images Coco Gauff is through to the final of the Italian Open after a straight-sets win over Sorana Cirstea at the Foro Italico. The American, one of the favourites heading into Roland Garros, came through 6-4, 6-3 to book her place in Saturday’s showpiece. She’ll face either Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina in the final, with both players looking strong throughout their respective runs so far.
Gauff has had to dig deep at times during this tournament. She was just a point away from going out in the fourth round before turning things around and now finds herself one match away from the title. Her run this week puts her in elite company.
Gauff joins Venus and Serena Williams as just the third American woman since 2000 to reach multiple clay finals before turning 21. Exclusive American milestone reached by Coco Gauff, joining Serena and Venus Williams Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Coco Gauff became the third American woman to reach back-to-back finals in Rome since the Tier I format began in 1990, according to OptaAce. The only other Americans to do so are Venus and Serena Williams.
Venus accomplished it between 1998 and 1999, while Serena made consecutive finals appearances from 2013 to 2014. Venus, a five-time Wimbledon champion, lost the final in 1998 but returned the following year to defeat France’s Mary Pierce and claim the title. Fourteen years after that, Serena defeated Victoria Azarenka to win her first Rome title.
She then defended her crown in 2014 with a dominant win over Sara Errani. This time around, Gauff will be hoping she can get over the line at this year’s event after falling short against Jasmine Paolini last time out. Paolini took home a straight-sets victory in that one.