Coco Gauff is through to the fourth round of the Madrid Open after earning a comeback victory over Sorana Cirstea.
The American looked down and out after losing the opening set and throwing up on court during the second.
But Gauff, who won her opening-round match comfortably, rallied her way back into the contest to emerge victorious, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Where will Coco Gauff be ranked at the end of the 2026 season?
She will take on 13th seed Linda Noskova in round four of the WTA 1000 event, whom she has faced twice before.
Following her victory, Gauff delivered a fitness update after struggling physically during the clash with Cirstea.
Coco Gauff reacts after defeating Sorana Cirstea in Madrid
Speaking to Sky Sports, Gauff said: I mean, I don’t know how I got it done. I’m just dealing with a lot of, like, trying to keep my food down.
“But once I threw up and I was able to throw up again after the first set, and then throw up again, I feel a lot better.
“I don’t know, it was just a tough match. I think I got the Madrid virus, the stomach virus that’s going around.
“And I’m usually someone who doesn’t get sick. So I don’t know. My luck today just wasn’t good.”
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She continued: “But honestly, the clay maybe helped me today because the points were a little… the ball was a little bit slower.
“So it bounced higher. So I think it gave me more time to kind of get to some balls when I wasn’t, like, moving my best.”
Coco Gauff’s record against Linda Noskova ahead of their clash
Gauff is undefeated against her next opponent, Noskova, having won both of their previous meetings on the WTA Tour.
They first clashed at the Indian Wells Open in 2023, where Gauff won in straight sets to advance to the fourth round.
Their second meeting came later that season at the Cincinnati Open, and Gauff won even more convincingly, triumphing 6-4, 6-0.
This time around, though, Gauff and Noskova will face off on a clay court for the first time, with a place in the Madrid Open quarterfinals up for grabs.
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