In a heart-pounding display of resilience, Coco Gauff, the world No. 4 and reigning US Open champion, staged a remarkable comeback at the Mutua Madrid Open on April 24, 2025, defeating Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the second round. The Caja Mágica’s Manolo Santana Stadium buzzed with tension as Gauff, seeded fourth, battled back from a first-set bagel and navigated a rollercoaster third set to secure her place in the third round. The 21-year-old American’s grit on the red clay not only marked her 15th win of the season but also signaled a turning point in a challenging 2025 campaign, setting the stage for a potential deep run ahead of her French Open title defense.
Gauff’s season had been a puzzle, with only five wins in five tournaments before Madrid, a stark contrast to her 2024 WTA Finals triumph. Facing Yastremska, ranked No. 46 and fresh off a marathon victory over Francesca Jones, Gauff encountered a formidable challenge. The Ukrainian, a former Australian Open semifinalist, came out firing, her aggressive forehand overwhelming Gauff in the opening set. Yastremska broke Gauff’s serve three times, capitalizing on the American’s shaky second serve to claim a 6-0 set in just 24 minutes. “It was tough playing, honestly, because she was missing a lot,” Gauff later reflected, acknowledging Yastremska’s unpredictable rhythm. “When she started making balls, it was hard to find the rhythm because I hadn’t had any.”
Undeterred, Gauff recalibrated in the second set, her clay-court instincts kicking in. Known for her 66.67% win rate on the surface, she adjusted her game to counter Yastremska’s aggression, targeting her backhand to force errors. “She’s an aggressive player, so I was trying to get her to hit off her back foot,” Gauff explained, detailing her tactical shift. An early break gave her a 2-0 lead, and she maintained control, firing eight winners to level the match at 6-2. The crowd, sensing a comeback, roared as Gauff’s confidence surged, her movement and shot selection sharpening on the fast Madrid clay.
The third set was a test of nerves. Gauff broke immediately, building a 3-0 lead with a 63.64% break-point conversion rate. But Yastremska, battling a reported shoulder issue, refused to fade, leveling the score at 3-3 with two breaks of her own. “I’m happy with how I played,” Gauff said, crediting her ability to “buckle down” under pressure. At 5-4, serving for the match, Gauff faltered, a double fault handing Yastremska a lifeline. The Ukrainian’s resilience forced a 5-5 tie, but Gauff’s composure prevailed. She broke Yastremska’s serve with a pinpoint backhand, then held firm to close out the 7-5 set after one hour and 54 minutes. “I wish I could have closed it sooner, but I was happy with being able to buckle down,” she added, her relief palpable.
The victory, Gauff’s second over Yastremska in Madrid following a 6-4, 6-1 win in 2024, marked her 29th WTA 1000 win since 2023, tying her with Iga Swiatek for the most clay-court WTA 1000 victories before age 21. Despite 34 unforced errors, Gauff’s 15 winners and ability to save four of six break points underscored her growing maturity. “A win is a win,” fans echoed on social media, celebrating her perseverance despite an imperfect performance.
Next, Gauff faces Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, a former US Open finalist, in the third round, with a potential Round of 16 clash against Mirra Andreeva or Karolina Muchova looming. “Her game naturally excels on the clay,” a supporter noted, reflecting optimism for Gauff’s chances in a draw that includes top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. After a tough start to 2025, including a quarter-final loss to Jasmine Paolini in Stuttgart, Gauff’s Madrid fightback offers hope for a resurgence. As she eyes her first WTA 1000 clay title, her ability to “get the job done” under pressure could propel her toward another milestone in the Spanish capital.