World No. 3 Coco Gauff survived a match point on Monday to defeat 17-year-old US Iva Jovic, advancing to the Italian Open quarterfinals for the third consecutive year. The 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 comeback victory additionally marks Gauff’s fourth career quarterfinal appearance in Rome, and her fifth Top 20 win this season.
The Gauff vs. Jovic clash was a test of resilience where neither player found a rhythm on serve, resulting in 14 total breaks. Jovic dominated early, taking the first set before serving for the match at 5-4 in the second. Gauff responded by saving a match point and breaking back immediately.
That shift sparked a run where Gauff won three straight games to force a decider. The US Open champ exploited Jovic’s soft service game in the final set, after the teenager committed 10 double faults and won just 33% of her second-serve points. Those key mistakes allowed Gauff to take control.
Gauff relied on her experience to net the win despite difficult conditions.
"The conditions today weren’t easy," Gauff said postmatch. "We had wind, we had airplanes. We had phones ringing. Everything was going on."
The 21-year-old now turns to the final eight as she chases her first Rome Open title.
Where to Watch Coco Gauff at the Italian Open 2026
The Italian Open runs through May 17th, live on the Tennis Channel.
