Coco Gauff says she hit one completely unplanned shot against Qinwen Zheng which even shocked her

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The Italian Open has been a thoroughly successful tournament thus far, with Coco Gauff one such star quietly enjoying a fine run. 

In fact, with little fanfare, the American has soared into the final of the event, where she will now meet hometown hero Jasmine Paolini on the clay of Rome.

And whilst it might have been an unassuming run to this stage of the competition, her semi-final win over Qinwen Zheng was anything but: a three-set blockbuster. In fact, Gauff’s win over Zheng made history on two counts.

When reviewing that match immediately after, relief seemed to be the paramount emotion the former displayed, unsurprisingly.

However, shock was another which she exhibited when asked how she felt hitting one particular shot.

Coco Gauff shocked herself in win over Qinwen Zheng

Speaking at her post-match press conference, the 21-year-old was asked where her patented forehand slice was born. ‘You did it a lot when you were younger, but now you just play it in key moments,’ the interviewer noticed.

Coco Gauff replied: ‘Yeah, it’s not something I plan. Sometimes, like, either I’m in an awkward position or the ball takes a weird bounce and I just have no choice but to slice. I don’t mean to hit it that good. One I hit, I myself was shocked at it. I don’t do it on purpose (smiling).

‘Yeah, I just wish I could hit my backhand slice as well as that.

‘Yeah, it’s just from adaptability. I don’t necessarily work on it that often. But you never know, these shots come. I think it’s part of the game. Yeah, I got a little lucky on them today.’

What is Coco Gauff’s total career earnings?

Having already won ten WTA titles at such a young age, it should come as no surprise that Gauff has racked up quite substantial career earnings.

After all, not only is she a Grand Slam champion, but having won the WTA finals late last year, she will have skyrocketed her figures to new heights.

Grand Slam prize money (WTA)

According to the official WTA website, she has already earned $2,235,821 (£1,682,592).

And, having reached the final of the Italian Open, she is poised to add to that even further. Winning the event will net her approximately $982,014, but even if she is to lose to Jasmine Paolini on Saturday she will be guaranteed $511,166.