Coco Gauff defeated Sorana Cirstea, 6-4, 6-3, in the semi-finals of the Italian Open.
The two-time Grand Slam champion booked her place in the final with a much-needed straight sets win.
Gauff had been pushed to a decider in her previous three matches at the Italian Open and even saved a match point against Iva Jovic in the fourth round.
Is Coco Gauff playing well enough to win Rome and Roland Garros?
She's into the Italian Open final!
During her post-match interview, Gauff spoke about her tricky run to the final.
Coco Gauff ‘happy’ to win in straight sets after ‘marathon week’ at the Italian Open
“I’m just happy to be through in straight sets today,” she said.
“It’s been a marathon week, but I’m really happy to be back here in the final. Thank you guys, for the support.
“I‘ve been enjoying it. The first couple of rounds were tough, but those are the matches you get through, and I was one point away from being out of the tournament, so really grateful to be in the final.
“Each match, I think I learned a little bit more, and I think it showed today.”
She was then asked to name the toughest match or the turning point of her Italian Open campaign.
“All of them really!” she said.
“All of them have been tough, but I think getting through the match against Iva [Jovic], where I wasn’t playing my best.
Coco Gauff’s route to the Italian Open final
- 2R [WIN] vs Tereza Valentova, 6-3, 6-4 (1hr, 34)
- 3R [WIN] vs Solana Sierra, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 (2hr, 10)
- 4R [WIN] vs Iva Jovic, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 (2hr, 45)
- QF [WIN] vs Mirra Andreeva, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 (2hr, 18)
- SF [WIN] vs Sorana Cirstea, 6-4, 6-3 (1hr, 15)
“After that match, I think I’ve been getting better and better with each match.”
Playing herself into form, Gauff can now look forward to another Italian Open final.
The 22-year-old finished as runner-up to Jasmine Paolini a year ago, but will be determined to go one better in 2026.
But who will she meet in Saturday’s championship match?
Who would Coco Gauff rather play in the Italian Open final?
Gauff will play Iga Swiatek or Elina Svitolina in the Italian Open final.
She has played both women several times, but her rivalry with Swiatek is perhaps better known.
Gauff lost 11 of her first 12 matches against the Pole, struggling to solve the Swiatek problem.
But she has since turned things around, winning four in a row to reduce the deficit.
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 United Cup – SF | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2025 Madrid Open – SF | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2025 United Cup – F | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2024 WTA Finals – RR | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2024 French Open -SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2024 Rome – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2023 WTA Finals – RR | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-0, 7-5 |
| 2023 Beijing – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2023 Cincinnati – SF | Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 |
| 2023 French Open – QF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2023 Dubai – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2022 WTA Finals – RR | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-0 |
| 2022 San Diego – QF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-0, 6-3 |
| 2022 French Open – F | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-1, 6-3 |
| 2022 Miami – 4R | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2021 Italian Open – SF | Iga Swiatek | Coco Gauff | 7-6, 6-3 |
Swiatek still leads their head-to-head, 11-5, although the momentum is firmly with the American.
The same cannot be said about her rivalry with Svitolina…
Gauff led their head-to-head 2-1 before the season began, but the Ukrainian beat her in Melbourne and Dubai to retake the lead.
Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships – SF | Elina Svitolina | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 |
| 2026 Australian Open – QF | Elina Svitolina | Coco Gauff | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2024 US Open – 3R | Coco Gauff | Elina Svitolina | 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2024 ASB Classic – F | Coco Gauff | Elina Svitolina | 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2021 Australian Open – 2R | Elina Svitolina | Coco Gauff | 6-4, 6-3 |
With that in mind, she may actually prefer to face Swiatek in the final!
Only time will tell who Gauff will meet in the Italian Open final, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Svitolina will play Swiatek in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 14, with the winner advancing to take on Gauff on Saturday, May 16.
