“Just for revenge”: Coco Gauff eyes Sabalenka rematch after reaching semifinals in Rome

Coco Gauff is hoping for a rematch against Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the Rome Open, seeking ‘revenge’ for her loss in the Madrid Open final two weeks ago. The American secured her place in the semifinals after defeating world No. 6 Mirra Andreeva.

The world No. 3 has now accumulated 9 wins in her last 10 matches, her only defeat being against Sabalenka 3-6, 6-7(3) in the title decider in the Spanish capital. With this, the Belarusian leveled the head-to-head record between the two at 5-5 (1-1 on clay courts).

Gauff and Sabalenka are the players with the most wins in this clay-court swing and could face each other again – although this time in the semifinals. However, Sabalenka still needs to overcome the quarterfinals, where she faces her familiar opponent Zheng Qinwen, whom she has defeated in all six of their previous encounters.

Once Gauff secured her passage to the semifinals, she was asked who she would like her next opponent to be: "To be honest, I don't have a preference,” she said about the duel between Zheng and Sabalenka that will be played on Wednesday night, May 14th. “Both are tough opponents. It's going to be a difficult match regardless of who I face.”

“Of course, I'd like to play against Aryna (Sabalenka), because I already faced her in Madrid, just for revenge. Qinwen is clearly a tough rival as well. I have no preference. It's going to be a tough and difficult match in any case."

Gauff secured her 10th appearance in a WTA 1000 semifinal (the fourth on clay courts). The semifinal match will be played on Thursday, May 15th. The second semifinal will feature local player Jasmine Paolini, who will face the American surprise Peyton Stearns.