Gauff after another battle in Rome: "I try to appreciate the fact of still being here"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 13 May 2026 | 08.00

Gauff, after another battle in Rome: "I try to appreciate the fact of still being here". Photo: Gettyimages

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Coco Gauff is going from battle to battle in the WTA Roma 2026 and refuses to give up. The American is accustomed to suffering and resilience in the Italian tournament after securing her third consecutive victory in three sets. This time, it was Mirra Andreeva who had to endure as she fought until the end but could not prevent the fourth-ranked player in the world's victory 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Gauff has been through a lot in Rome these days. From revealing personal issues after defeating Solana Sierra, saving a match point against Iva Jovic, to almost squandering a 5-1 lead in the third set against Mirra Andreeva. However, she efficiently managed to extinguish all these fires and has now reached the semifinals of the WTA Roma 2026, where she awaits Sorana Cirstea.

Regarding her match against Andreeva, the court conditions in Rome, and her ability to overcome tough moments on the court, Gauff discussed in the press conference following her victory.

Coco Gauff analyzed her hard-fought victory against Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals of the WTA Roma 2026

"I definitely think I played much better in this match. Especially with my forehand and return, I think I did well in those aspects. Obviously, I would have liked to close it out a little earlier in the third set. She raised her level a lot. Still, I put myself in a winning position in practically every game. Overall, I'm happy with how I played."

Love-hate relationship with the conditions in Rome

"It's tough, for sure. I think it benefits me. Although sometimes it also hinders me because, I don't know, when the balls got heavier, I struggled quite a bit. There was a game where I felt I couldn't deepen the return. In the end, I won that game, but I felt like I couldn't get the return deep enough, and she was killing me with short balls. So, for me, it's sometimes a double-edged sword. It depends a lot on the opponent."

Almost lost a 5-1 lead in the third set...

"Honestly, it was tough. When you have a lead, you know she can play incredible tennis at any moment. But I also thought that in the previous round, I saved a match point, so easily I could not be here today. I just tried to appreciate the fact that I'm still here, even when match points weren't going my way. I think that showed in my reaction every time I lost them."

"I was just trying to stay mentally strong again. I had a big lead in the third set, but she was closing in on me. I learned a bit about how to try to close out these matches, and I'm glad I could win," said Coco Gauff, who, despite all the challenges she has encountered in Rome, has been handling them with great tennis maturity.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff, tras otra batalla en Roma: "Intento apreciar el hecho de seguir aquí"