PREVIEW | Rome Open 2025 - Semifinals: Coco Gauff aims to stop Zheng Qinwen's stunning run, Stearns prepares for hostile clash against Paolini

The 2025 Rome Open reaches its final stages as the women's semifinals take center stage this Thursday. After nearly two weeks of intense competition, only four players remain in the draw, each one chasing a coveted spot in Sunday's championship match. Coco Gauff will have to put her anticipated rematch against Sabalenka on hold, as Zheng Qinwen pulled of a crazy upset to eliminate the belarusian an secure her place in the semis against world's No. 3. Meanwhile, surprise package Peyton Stearns faces another huge tets as she takes on Italy's own Jasmine Paolini.

With the quarterfinals wrapping up on Wednesday, the stage is set for two thrilling battles at the Foro Italico. Let's take a closer look at these two upcoming matchups:

In the second match of the day on Campo Centrale, local favorite Jasmine Paolini will look to reach her first Rome Open final as she takes on American underdog Peyton Staerns. Stearns, ranked No. 42 in the world, has been the breakout story of the tournament, battling her way from the opening round of 128 all the way to the final four.

Each of her last three matches went the distance and had to be decided in a third-set tiebreak, but Stearns emerged victorious every time -knocking out Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka and most recently Elina Svitolina. The Ukranian had been one of the hottest players of the clay season, having reached at least the semis in every tournament she entered.

Fatigue could become a factor for Stearns, who has logged several more hours on court than her oppinent, but it would be a mistake to underestimate a player who's shown such impressive resilience and fight.

Paolini, for her part, has rediscovered the form that made her one of last season's breakout stars. Backed by a passionate home crowd, she had a gutsy comeback win over Diana Shnaider in the quarters, proving once again tha she thrives under pressure. This will be the first meeting between the two.

Coco Gauff has firmly established herself as the top American on clay -and arguably the most versatile as well. The 2023 US Open champion finished runner-up in Madrid and has looked dominant in Rome, aside from a few early-round hiccups.

Since then, Gauff has cruised past each of her opponents, including rising russian sensation Mirra Andreeva, whom she also defeated at the Caja Magica. With Roland Garros just around the corner, the 21-year-old appears to be peaking at just the right time.

Her opponent will be China's Zheng Qinwen, who banished her demons in spectacular fashion with a straigt-sets victory over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. It was not only her first win over the Belarusian, it was a commanding one, marked by clinical shot-making in key moments.

The reigning Olympic champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament and has the firepower to challenge anyone on tour.

Head-to-head, Gauff leads the series 2-0, making her the clear favorite heading into this semis. Still, Zheng's confidence is soaring, and she'll be eager to rewrite the script.