Did Gauff Turn the Tables on Linette at the Italian Open?

Synopsis
Coco Gauff bounces back from her previous loss to Magda Linette, showcasing resilience with a <b>7-5, 6-3</b> win in the Italian Open third round. This match sets the stage for an exciting encounter against Emma Raducanu, promising high-stakes action as both players aim to advance in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Coco Gauff avenged her earlier loss to Magda Linette.
- Gauff won with a score of 7-5, 6-3 in the third round.
- This match was Gauff's first against Linette on a surface other than hard courts.
- Gauff will face Emma Raducanu next.
- Rome remains one of Gauff's most successful tournaments.
Rome, May 11 (NationPress) In their last encounter in Miami, Coco Gauff faced her first defeat against Magda Linette in three career matchups. However, the American player made a strong comeback by securing a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Linette in the third round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Sunday.
This match marked Gauff's first meeting with Linette on a surface other than hard courts. The initial set was tightly contested, with both athletes struggling to maintain consistency despite Gauff starting strong. The duo collectively made 40 unforced errors in the first set, with Gauff contributing 24 of those against just nine winners.
After breaking Linette for a 3-1 lead, Gauff quickly relinquished her advantage, but her determination prevailed as she won eight of the final nine points from 5-5 to capture the set in 51 minutes, according to WTA reports.
In the second set, Gauff quickly established a 3-1 lead, but once again lost her edge. Nevertheless, she managed to keep the set under control, needing five match points to clinch the win while saving a break point in the final game after missing her initial four chances.
Rome is a particularly successful event for Gauff, with her 14 main-draw victories placing her fourth in overall tournament wins, trailing only behind Roland Garros, the US Open, and the Australian Open.
Gauff has reached the semifinals twice in 2021 and 2024, though she faced early exits in the Round of 32 during the intervening years.