In a thrilling semi-final at the 2025 Italian Open, Coco Gauff showcased her tenacity, battling past China’s Qinwen Zheng in a grueling three-hour-and-32-minute marathon to secure her spot in the final. The 21-year-old American, ranked world No. 3, emerged victorious with a 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(4) scoreline, becoming the first American to reach the Rome final since Serena Williams and Madison Keys in 2016. Gauff’s mother, Candi, a former track and field athlete and her daughter’s unwavering supporter, took to social media to laud Coco’s fighting spirit, calling her a “warrior” in a heartfelt tribute that captured the pride of a mother watching her child conquer adversity on one of tennis’s grandest stages.
The match against Zheng was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, marked by 35 unforced errors from both players and intense physical demands. Gauff, who had faced Zheng in a similarly epic three-hour clash at the 2024 WTA Finals, knew the challenge ahead. “I was just trying to go for every point,” she said post-match, acknowledging the physical toll of the encounter. “I knew before it was going to be a physical match. Last time we played was over three hours.” Despite letting a 5-3 lead slip in the first set and falling a break down in the decisive third, Gauff’s resilience shone through. She capitalized on Zheng’s double faults in the first-set tiebreak and fought back from the brink in the final set, clinching victory in a nail-biting tiebreak after being two points from defeat.
Candi, who has been a constant presence in Coco’s journey, shared a video on Instagram Stories from the WTA’s official account, highlighting her daughter’s breathtaking shots that sealed the win. Her one-word caption, “Warrior,” echoed the sentiment of fans marveling at Coco’s grit. A former Florida State University athlete who left her teaching career to support Coco’s tennis dreams, Candi has been instrumental in shaping her daughter’s character, emphasizing morals and values. “Just making sure that you understand morals, values, and have good character and be a good person first, and then your tennis,” Candi said in a recent interview, reflecting on the life lessons she instilled in Coco. Her emotional support, from playing Uno during tournament swings to cheering courtside, has been a cornerstone of Coco’s success.
This victory marks a historic milestone for Gauff, who at 21 years and 54 days became the fifth-youngest woman to reach three Italian Open semi-finals in the Open Era, joining legends like Monica Seles and Chris Evert. It’s her second straight WTA 1000 final, following a runner-up finish to Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid earlier this month, and her first in Rome, where she had previously gone 0-2 in semi-finals. “Overall I’m just happy. Wasn’t my best level at all, to be honest. Just happy to get through it and through to another final,” Gauff admitted, candid about the match’s imperfections but buoyed by her ability to prevail.
Now, Gauff faces Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the championship match, a daunting task against the No. 5-ranked player and the first Italian woman to reach the Rome final since Sara Errani in 2014. Paolini, who battled back from a set and 4-0 down in her quarterfinal, expressed her joy: “It’s a dream to be here, it’s a dream to play in Italy, it’s a dream to be able to play the final.” For Gauff, the final offers a chance to claim her 10th career singles title and become the first American to win in Rome since Williams in 2016. Her 12-5 record at the Foro Italico and a 4-0 head-to-head edge over Paolini bolster her confidence, though the home crowd’s fervor will test her resolve.
Gauff’s journey to the final reflects her growth as a player and person. From her breakout at Wimbledon at 15 to her 2023 US Open title, she has leaned on her family’s support, particularly Candi’s calming presence. “There’s nothing like a mother-daughter relationship,” Coco said during the 2024 Wuhan Open, crediting Candi for keeping her grounded. As she prepares for Saturday’s final, Candi’s pride and Coco’s warrior spirit promise a captivating showdown, with the young American poised to etch another chapter in her remarkable career.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-coco-gauff-s-mother-candi-applauds-daughter-3-hour-epic-win-reach-italian-open-final)[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45167968/coco-gauff-reaches-italian-open-final-face-jasmine-paolini)[](https://sports.info/tennis/candi-gauff-hails-daughter-cocos-fighting-spirit-after-electrifying-3-hour-battle-to-storm-into-italian-open-finals-9075175)
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