Coco Gauff came through a difficult test in the third round of the Italian Open against Solana Sierra.
The American fought back from a set down against the Argentine to advance to the round of 16 in Rome, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.
Gauff has struggled to get going during the clay swing so far, having suffered early exits in both Stuttgart and Madrid.
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Following her triumph over Sierra in Rome, the 22-year-old admitted she was in a ‘weird’ space mentally.
Coco Gauff says her mind is in a ‘different place’ right now
Speaking in her post-match press conference, Gauff said: “I feel like I have solutions with my game.
“I’m serving a lot better, returning, just doing everything better than I was in that period.
“I think for most of my career I’ve been having to only focus on my game. So it’s weird when your mind is in a different place. You’re also feeling confident on court.
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“I don’t know, that’s what I felt today. I do feel, like, pretty confident in my game right now. So yeah, I think I just have to mesh it all together. I don’t know.”
Gauff is seeded third at the Italian Open this year, and will be looking to go one step further at the tournament after making the final in 2025.
Coco Gauff reacts after beating Solana Sierra at the Italian Open
Asked for her thoughts on the match, Gauff replied: “Yeah, it was a tough day for me.
“It’s one of those days where you don’t feel great, and you have to play a match. It’s like, I can’t cuss, but yeah. That was today. I’m happy I got through it.
“Yeah, one of those days I just didn’t feel, I guess, motivated to go on the court. Then when you’re on the court, you’re motivated. You get too frustrated.
“Just personal things off court that I’m just trying to get through, so… Yeah, but then you also remember how much fun you have. I think my regret today was not enjoying the battle, for sure.
“I’ve been going through it for a few months. I mean, good days and bad days, yeah.
“I think for me, I try to remind myself the people that watch, knowing that they support me, just my team, they work very hard, so I try to show up.
“Although today maybe wasn’t my best in the grand scheme of things, it’s what I had today. I think it’s something to be proud of and just to learn from how to handle, like, those circumstances better, for sure.”
Gauff is seeking to claim her first title of the season in Rome, and first since the Wuhan Open in October 2025.
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