The 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia has set the stage for a thrilling quarterfinal clash between two of tennis’s brightest young stars: world No. 4 Coco Gauff and No. 7 Mirra Andreeva. As the Foro Italico’s clay courts prepare to host this marquee matchup, 18-year-old Andreeva is brimming with determination to rewrite the script against Gauff, who has dominated their rivalry with a 3-0 head-to-head lead. After a practice session in Rome, Andreeva revealed a strategic shift aimed at cracking Gauff’s formidable defenses, promising a tactical battle that could redefine their burgeoning rivalry and propel the Russian into her first Italian Open semifinal.
Andreeva’s 2025 season has been nothing short of sensational. The Russian prodigy, who turned 18 just weeks ago, captured WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, showcasing her precocious talent and fearless baseline game. Her journey to the Rome quarterfinals, a career first, included a gritty comeback against Clara Tauson (5-7, 6-3, 6-2) and straight-set wins over Emiliana Arango and Linda Noskova. “I’m playing with more confidence this year,” Andreeva said, reflecting on her growth since her last meeting with Gauff at the Madrid Open, where she fell 7-5, 6-1. That loss, however, was a learning opportunity. “It was a little bit of a lesson for me,” she admitted after a practice session in Rome, noting her goal was to “try and understand how [Gauff] plays” to prepare for their next encounter.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, has been a clay-court force in Rome, dismantling Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-2 to reach her third Italian Open quarterfinal. Her game, anchored by a world-class backhand and relentless court coverage, thrives on the slow, bouncy Roman clay. “I was aggressive and played with margin,” Gauff said after her Madrid win over Andreeva, highlighting her ability to force opponents into awkward positions. Yet, Andreeva believes she’s identified chinks in Gauff’s armor. “Last time, I was too passive in the second set,” she explained. “This time, I want to be more aggressive, especially on her forehand side, and mix up my shots to keep her guessing.” Andreeva plans to leverage her improved serve—now a weapon after being a weakness in 2023—and her pinpoint shot placement to disrupt Gauff’s rhythm.
The head-to-head history favors Gauff, with all three wins coming in straight or three sets, including two on clay (2023 French Open and 2025 Madrid). In Madrid, Gauff saved two set points in the first set before cruising, exploiting Andreeva’s 28 unforced errors. “Coco’s forehand can be inconsistent if you pressure it,” Andreeva observed, signaling her intent to target that wing with heavy topspin and crosscourt angles. She also aims to incorporate more drop shots, a tactic that worked against Tauson, to pull Gauff out of her defensive comfort zone. “I need to be creative and not let her
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