Coco Gauff has battled her way into the quarterfinals of the Italian Open after a roller-coaster win over Iva Jovic.
Gauff and her fellow American Jovic played out a thrilling battle in the round of 16 in Rome, where the former triumphed 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
The WTA number four demonstrated her fantastic mental strength once more in the match, having saved a match point in the second set to force a third.
At the same time, however, Jovic will be disappointed not to have taken her fantastic chance to pull off a massive shock at the Italian Open.
She committed a huge 10 double faults throughout the two-hour, 45-minute clash, in which Gauff produced an encouraging display on serve.
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Coco Gauff posts encouraging serving stats vs Iva Jovic
Gauff has a very obvious double fault problem, but that was almost non-existent during her topsy-turvy win over Jovic, who instead led the way in that unwanted area.
The winner hit just one double fault in an impressive service display, which also included a first serve figure of 66.7% and a first serve points won figure of 59.7%.
With one ace and a break points saved tally of 40%, there is still room for improvement, but Gauff can definitely take confidence from this performance.
Her serve has often let her down in important moments, but the 22-year-old has just proven that she certainly has the ability to shine in such a crucial area of the game.
Gauff will be particularly pleased about her real lack of double faults, and indeed how the only one she committed arrived in the opening set.
| Coco Gauff | Iva Jovic | |
| 1 | Aces | 3 |
| 1 | Double faults | 10 |
| 66.7% 62/93 | 1st serve | 56.3% 58/103 |
| 59.7% 37/62 | 1st serve points won | 60.3% 35/58 |
| 48.4% 15/31 | 2nd serve points won | 33.3% 15/45 |
| 10 | Break points faced | 13 |
| 40% 4/10 | Break points saved | 38.5% 5/13 |
| 16 | Service games played | 16 |
Coco Gauff must be considered among French Open favorites
While all roads lead to Rome right now, Gauff will be using the WTA 1000 tournament as preparation for Roland Garros.
And she will certainly be motivated to clinch the title at the Italian Open, having lost last year’s final to Jasmine Paolini.
But the youngster showed tremendous spirit and determination to bounce back shortly after at the French Open, where she clinched her second career Grand Slam title.
Such determination was also on show against Jovic in Rome, with Gauff proving yet again that her mental strength is arguably second to none in women’s tennis.
It’s a fantastic skill to possess, and one that she can combine with her ability and athleticism to achieve plenty more success in the near future.
Prove us wrong…
Whether or not that arrives as soon as this year’s French Open remains to be seen, but she has to be considered a strong contender.
However, world number one Aryna Sabalenka has been backed for Roland Garros success, while Elena Rybakina is in formidable form and Iga Swiatek is a four-time winner of the event.
Such a scenario should produce a thrilling tournament in Paris, with the clay-court Grand Slam set to get underway later this month.
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