“I was pretty composed because I felt like I was playing the right way,” Coco Gauff said after starting her Italian Open campaign on a winning note this week. Following her heroics in Madrid, where she missed out on clinching a maiden WTA trophy this season in the summit clash against Aryna Sabalenka, the World No.3 is looking in dominant form in Rome. But the 2023 US Open winner has a long way ahead in order to make a deep run. On Sunday, she will have to face a new challenge in the form of Polish player Magda Linette. A familiar but formidable rival. So who’s going to have the last laugh in this face-off? Let’s try to find out.
Coco Gauff v Magda Linette: Preview
Coco Gauff’s 2025 season has been mostly underwhelming so far. After her QF run down under, she was expected to continue her consistency. Sadly, it didn’t happen. In back-to-back events (Qatar Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells, and Miami Open), she ended up facing early exits. However, the situation flipped for the good last month in Stuttgart. Gauff managed to reach the QF on the clay surface before losing to Jasmine Paolini. The American, however, extended her form from this event to the next.
At the Madrid Open, she went on to reach the summit clash. Along the way, she also edged out arch rival Iga Swiatek in the SF round with a brutal score line of 6-1, 6-1. In the final, though, Gauff couldn’t win the trophy. World No.1 Sabalenka bested her with a score line of 6-3, 7-6(3). Entering the Italian Open, the 2024 WTA Finals winner began her campaign with a victory against Canada’s Victoria Mboko. It was a hard-earned win, though, as the Lucky Loser pushed Gauff to her limits. The latter lost the first set but then made a remarkable comeback to wrap up the battle (3-6, 6-2, 6-1).
WUHAN, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: Coco Gauff of United States competes in the Women s Singles Semifinal match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on day eight of 2024 Wuhan Open at Optics Valley International Tennis Center on October 12, 2024 in Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Copyright: xVCGx 111523399024
Speaking of her opponent, Poland’s Magda Linette’s 2025 season has been mediocre at best. She failed to start the year on a winning note, crashing out in R64 of the Brisbane International. Then at the Hobart International, too, she couldn’t move beyond after losing in the R16 against Australia’s Maya Joint. The same was the case in Melbourne as well. She was edged out in the first round against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. However, the Polish pro bounced back at the Abu Dhabi Open. She succeeded in reaching the QF round before losing to Czechia’s Linda Noskova.
However, the poor form caught up again in Doha, where she was ousted in R16 against Marta Kostyuk. In the next three events, she couldn’t create an impact at all. In Dubai, Merida, and Indian Wells, she crashed out in R64, R16, and R64, respectively. At the Miami Open, Linette showed promising signs, making it to the QF stage. But she failed to maintain the consistency in Madrid with a defeat in R64 against Greek pro Maria Sakkari. Entering the Italian Open, Linette kick-started her campaign against Sakkari, again, and avenged her loss in Madrid. The Polish player eventually won her opening encounter in a tough three-setter (1-6, 6-4, 6-1).
Gauff v Linette: Head-to-Head
Both players have met on three occasions across WTA events in their careers. Currently, Gauff leads the h2h tally 2-1 against Linette. The last time they faced each other was during the Miami Open this season. In that encounter, Linette emerged victorious.
2025 Miami Open R16: Linette 6-4, 6-4
2024 Wuhan Open QF: Gauff 6-0, 6-4
2021 US Open First Round: Gauff 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
Prediction: Coco Gauff to win in straight sets
Coco Gauff has an edge over Magda Linette in terms of the singles stats this season. With a winning percentage of 68.18, the American WTA pro has won 15 of her 22 matches compared to the Polish player (12-10).
Now, coming into event history, Gauff has managed to enter the semifinal round twice at the Italian Open on previous occasions. Firstly, she did it in 2021 when arch rival Iga Swiatek stopped her campaign. Then in 2024, too, Gauff reached the semis before once again crashing out in front of the Pole who beat her 6-4, 6-3. And what about Linette? She’s played in Rome four times so far. However, she’s yet to make a deep run. In her last three appearances (2021, 2023, and 2024), she was ousted in R64, R32, and R64, respectively.
Aug 17, 2021; Mason, OH, USA; Magda Linette (POL) reacts after a point against Simona Halep (ROU) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of their playing styles, Gauff’s got an aggressive approach alongside solid groundstrokes and fine agility. She’s also good at court coverage between the baseline and the net. Her lethal serves can also build pressure on the opponents. On the other hand, Linette is known for her speed and movement between the baseline and the net. Not to forget her effective groundstrokes and an impactful forehand.
Taking into consideration the recent form, Coco Gauff appears to be the favorite in Sunday’s clash. She’s expected to beat Linette in straight sets and advance into the R16.
The post Italian Open 2025: Coco Gauff vs Magda Linette; Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction appeared first on EssentiallySports.
