“When you’re winning matches and you still feel like you have a whole ceiling to reach, it just makes you feel good.” Coco Gauff said on Wednesday after making it to her second straight semifinal of this season. A few weeks back, she succeeded in reaching the summit clash of the Madrid Open. While she missed out on the trophy, succumbing to a defeat against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, it appears she’s got a second chance to make it happen. However, the World No.3 will have a tough challenge ahead as she’s set to take on World No.8, Qinwen Zheng, on Thursday. Who will advance to the final in Rome after this face-off? Let’s try to find out!
Coco Gauff vs Qinwen Zheng: Preview
Coco Gauff‘s 2025 season has been underwhelming to say the least. Back in January, she managed to reach the QF of the Australian Open but then failed to carry forward the consistency. In subsequent events like the Qatar Open, Dubai Tennis Championships, Indian Wells, and Miami Open, she was ousted early in R32, R32, R16, and then R16, respectively. Luckily, the 2023 US Open winner managed to find her lost momentum. At the Stuttgart Open, she made it to the QF before losing against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Gauff continued this form in Madrid as well. She succeeded in entering the summit clash. Unfortunately, the American couldn’t take the trophy against Sabalenka, who eventually won with a score line of 6-3, 7-6(3).
But it looks like Gauff has managed to carve out another opportunity to lift her maiden WTA trophy this season. In Rome, the 21-year-old has continued a solid form on the clay surface. She kicked off her campaign with a tough win against Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. The 18-year-old snatched the first set against Gauff. But the latter fought back and advanced with a score line of 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. She then ousted Magda Linette in R32 before taking down British star Emma Raducanu in R16 (6-1, 6-2). In the QF battle on Wednesday, Gauff edged out Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva in straight sets with a score line of 6-4, 7-6(5), and entered the last four.
Speaking of her opponent, China’s Qinwen Zheng has struggled to maintain consistency this season. At the start of the year, she failed to create an impact during most of the events. At the Australian Open, she faced an early exit after losing to Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the second round. Then at the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships, too, she crashed out in R32 successively. However, Zheng lifted her spirits to bounce back. At Indian Wells, she managed to reach the QF stage before losing against Iga Swiatek. Then, in Miami and Charleston, too, the Chinese star succeeded in entering the last eight. In Madrid, she failed to go past R64 after a defeat against Russia’s Anastasia Potapova.
But the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist didn’t take long to regain her form. Coming into the Italian Open, she began her campaign with a comfortable win over Serbia’s Olga Danilovic (6-1, 6-4). In the R32, she then edged out Magdalena Frech before ousting Bianca Andreescu in straight sets as well in the R16. Playing against World No.1 Sabalenka in the QF round, Zheng managed to snatch her maiden win against the Belarusian. She ousted the three-time slam queen in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) to reach the semis in Rome.
Gauff v Zheng: Head-to-Head
Both players have met twice across WTA events in their careers. Currently, Gauff leads the h2h tally 2-0 against Zheng. When they faced each other the last time, it was during the summit clash of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh. The American eventually became the winner.
2024 WTA Finals F: Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 7-6
2024 Italian Open QF: Gauff 7-6, 6-1
Prediction: Coco Gauff to win in three sets
Coco Gauff has a solid edge over Qinwen Zheng in terms of the singles record in 2025. The American has won 18 of her 25 matches so far with a win percentage of 72 compared to the Chinese pro (13-7). But what about their event history?
Gauff has had a good experience at the Italian Open in the past. She managed to reach the semis twice here. Firstly, she did it in 2021 when Iga Swiatek ended her campaign. Then last season, too, the Pole stopped her in the last four. When it comes to Zheng, she’s played in Rome only twice. However, her performance has been promising. In 2023, she made it to the QF stage before losing to Kudermetova. Last season, she entered the last eight again but couldn’t move forward. In that encounter, she competed against none other than Gauff, who beat her in straight sets.
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 the playing styles, the American is known for her lethal serves. Combine that with an aggressive approach and powerful groundstrokes. Her court coverage is also commendable between the net and the baseline. On the other hand, Zheng is famous for her aggressive baseline game. Not to mention her effective groundstrokes, especially her strong forehand. She’s also capable of dominating rallies using her powerful serves.
Considering the recent form and past stats between the two, Coco Gauff looks to be the favorite going into Thursday’s match. While Zheng may pose a threat in front of her, the American is still expected to win in three sets while completing her hat-trick of victories against the Chinese.
The post Italian Open 2025: Coco Gauff vs Qinwen Zheng; Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction appeared first on EssentiallySports.
