Coco Gauff reaches Italian Open semifinals again

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after winning a point from Mirra Andreeva of Russia during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

ROME–Coco Gauff reached the Italian Open semifinals for the third consecutive year with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Mirra Andreeva.

Gauff was the runner-up in Rome last year and is preparing to defend her French Open title.

Gauff will next play 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, who eliminated 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-1, 7-6 (0).

Cirstea upset top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the third round and is now the second-oldest semifinalist in a WTA 1000 clay-court event. Only Martina Navratilova did it at an older age, at 37 in Rome in 1994.

“I always said there’s no expiration date for ambition and dreams,” said Cirstea, who plans to retire at the end of the year. “I think everyone can see that I absolutely love this sport. I have so much passion for it.”

Defending champion Jasmine Paolini, who lost in the third round of singles, withdrew from the doubles competition due to a “minor foot issue.” She and partner Sara Errani are the defending champions in doubles, too.