Boris Becker explains what happened during Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng’s Italian Open semi-final that left him ‘particularly happy’

Follow us on Google Discover

The 2025 Italian Open was thrilling from start to finish as the best players in the women’s game produced some excellent tennis in Rome.

It didn’t take long for a big name to fall in the Italian capital, as Danielle Collins beat defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round.

The world number one was knocked out shortly after, when Aryna Sabalenka fell to Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals, 4-6, 3-6.

Home favorite Jasmine Paolini and America’s Coco Gauff advanced to the final, where they battled it out for the title.

In straight sets, Paolini beat Gauff, 6-4, 6-2, to clinch her first title in Rome, condemning her opponent to a second consecutive WTA 1000 final defeat.

After the tournament, one ATP legend shared what happened during Gauff’s semi-final match, which left him ‘particularly happy’.

Boris Becker was happy to see the stadium ‘packed’ for Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng’s ‘midnight’ match

During the Becker Petkovic podcast, former world number one Boris Becker gave his verdict on the women’s tournament in Rome.

“In general, I thought the matches were very good,” he said.

“I want to mention [Aryna] Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng, Coco Gauff. The Madrid final, the Rome final, there’s consistency there, they’re really impressive, how well they play tennis, how long the matches are, the stadiums are packed.”

Becker was ‘particularly’ pleased to see the fans pack out the stadium for Gauff and Zheng’s semi-final match.

“In an evening match at midnight, Qinwen Zheng against Coco Gauff, the place was packed, because it was just so emotional and so highly skilled,” he said.

“That makes me particularly happy.”

In a match that saw momentum swing back and forth throughout, Gauff eventually beat Zheng, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, after three hours, 32 mins in Rome.

The match finished after midnight, but the fans were in no rush to get home early, watching two of the top young stars on the WTA Tour fight tooth and nail for a spot in the final.

Becker argued the joint Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events could be crucial to the growth of the women’s game.

“That was always the secret of these mixed events,” he said.

There are currently five mixed ‘1000’ events across men’s and women’s tennis, although just one will take place during the second half of the season.

Only time will tell who will come out on top when the stars of the WTA and ATP Tour head to Ohio for the Cincinnati Open in August.

Could Coco Gauff end her losing finals run with a win at the 2025 French Open?

Gauff has enjoyed a fantastic clay court campaign, but will be disappointed to have come up short in two ‘big’ finals.

• 2025 Italian Open F – Coco Gauff lost to Jasmine Paolini, 4-6, 2-6
• 2025 Madrid Open F – Coco Gauff lost to Aryna Sabalenka, 3-6, 6-7

She’ll no doubt be hoping to use those defeats as fuel when she returns to action in Paris, in search of her second Grand Slam title.

Just once has the American failed to reach the Roland Garros quarterfinals, on her first visit five years ago.

Over the past three years, Swiatek has been a thorn in Gauff’s side, knocking her out of the tournament in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

She may, however, be confident of getting her revenge in 2025, should they face off once more, after what happened in Madrid.

Gauff dominated Swiatek, 6-1, 6-1, to book her place in the Madrid Open final earlier this month, handing the Pole her worst clay court defeat in six years.

The American has now won three consecutive matches against the world number five, having lost 11 of their first 12.

It remains to be seen whether the pair will face off for a 16th time in Paris, but it would certainly be worth tuning in for.

The 2025 French Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 25.