Tim Henman shares what he noticed about Coco Gauff’s forehand against Mirra Andreeva while sitting courtside

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Coco Gauff continues her impressive clay court form after booking a spot in the Italian Open semi-finals.

The 21-year-old reached the last four in Rome for the second successive year and she has won eight successive sets after losing the opener against Victoria Mboko in her first match.

Gauff took on Mirra Andreeva for the fourth time and the second in as many tournaments following their meeting in Madrid.

As was the case in their other three meetings, Coco Gauff emerged victorious with a 6-4, 7-6(5) score line against the teenager.

What did Tim Henman notice about Coco Gauff’s forehand against Mirra Andreeva in Rome?

During Gauff’s matches, opponents are keen to target her forehand, given its tendency to break down at times.

But the shot has looked more steady on the clay, as she is more aggressive with the forehand and is using more spin to allow her to have more control over the shot.

This is something that commentator Tim Henman noticed during the contest, and he explained the way in which the clay is assisting Gauff’s forehand.

“We were by the side of the court and it was very evident to see what a heavy ball that Coco Gauff was hitting,” Henman told Sky Sports.

“Raducanu almost said it to us on the side of the court – this is so heavy. And when any player is playing with that controlled aggression that is when they are their best.

“I think with the clay it perhaps gives Gauff a little bit more time to get that swing in, we know she has a big swing in preparation. But she is building that confidence and you can see what that win means to her.”

Coco Gauff does something for the first time since 1999 at the Italian Open

Gauff’s victory against Andreeva was her ninth from her past 10 matches.

She struck 22 winners and won 67% of the points behind her second serve on the way to a straight sets win over the World number seven.

The new World number two is now the youngest three-time semifinalist at the Italian Open since Martina Hingis in 1999, who was just 18 when she achieved this feat.

The 2023 US Open champion is just the fifth youngest player in the Open Era to reach three semi-finals in Rome.

Along with Hingis, the other players higher than Gauff on this esteemed list are Monica Seles, Gabriela Sabatini and 18-time Grand slam champion Chris Evert.