High Pressure on Court: Gauff and Zheng Aim for Italian Open Glory
The tennis spotlight shifts to Rome as Coco Gauff and Zheng Qinwen meet in the 2025 Italian Open semi-finals. Set for Thursday, May 15, this face-off isn't just a test of skill but a real statement about who’s ready to own the clay season. Gauff comes in as the world No. 3 with wins over Zheng in their only two meetings, including last year's quarter-final in Rome and the title match at the WTA Finals.
Who’s entering with more heat? Gauff has zipped up impressive victories over the likes of Emma Raducanu and rising star Mirra Andreeva, shutting down challengers with her power-packed game. Despite falling to Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final, Gauff looks locked in for her second shot at the Rome trophy, showing she knows how to handle both pressure and expectations.
Zheng Qinwen’s journey is just as dramatic. Earlier this year, she made headlines by grabbing Olympic gold in Paris, adding a huge boost to her confidence on the world’s biggest sporting stage. This week in Rome, Zheng broke her jinx against Sabalenka, notching her first ever win over the world No. 1 in the quarter-finals. That landmark victory ended a frustrating six-match losing streak to Sabalenka and instantly shot Zheng into her first semi-final at the Italian Open. The message? Zheng isn't just along for the ride; clay is starting to feel like home for her game style.
Clay Court Rivalry and the Path to Roland Garros
This semi-final is more than just statistics and previous scores. Both Gauff and Zheng have plenty hanging in the balance. Gauff, with her firm head-to-head record, will aim to keep her dominance. But Zheng, fresh off her Sabalenka upset, is eager to shake up the order and prove she can take down higher-ranked opponents in back-to-back matches.
For fans, the matchup delivers big storylines beyond Rome. Both women are racing to fine-tune their clay skills ahead of the French Open, and how they handle the pressure here will echo all the way to Paris. Watch for Gauff’s explosive backhand and strategic movement, up against Zheng’s aggressive baseline play and newfound mental grit.
The winner not only books a spot in the Italian Open final but also sends a clear message to the chasing pack: the battle for clay-court supremacy is wide open. With every point and rally shaping momentum for the rest of the spring, Thursday’s match in Rome could set the tone for weeks to come on the women’s tour.
