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Coco Gauff kept her Italian Open campaign alive after battling back from the brink of defeat to overcome teenage compatriot Iva Jovic in a dramatic fourth-round encounter in Rome.
The reigning French Open champion looked headed for an early exit as she trailed 7-5, 5-3 against the 18-year-old American. Jovic even held a match point during the second set, but Gauff managed to survive the pressure before turning the contest around to secure a 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 victory.
It marked the second straight match in which Gauff recovered after dropping the opening set, having also fought back against Argentina's Solana Sierra in the previous round. While the comeback demonstrated her resilience, the world number four will know significant improvement is needed if she hopes to repeat last year's run to the Rome final or successfully defend her French Open title later this month.
Conditions at the Foro Italico proved challenging throughout the match. Strong winds affected both players, while noise from fighter jets flying overhead added another layer of distraction during key moments. Gauff admitted afterward that the circumstances were difficult but praised her mental strength and credited her team for helping her stay focused during the match.
The American struggled for rhythm for much of the opening two sets, particularly with her movement and forehand consistency. Jovic, currently one of the rising names in women's tennis, took advantage and played with confidence as she moved within touching distance of a major upset.
However, momentum shifted after Jovic missed her match point opportunity by sending a forehand into the net. The teenager was also dealing with a cut on her finger after slipping earlier in the match, and the discomfort appeared to affect her grip and timing as the contest continued.
Gauff capitalised on the change in momentum, relying on her defensive abilities and determination to force errors from her opponent. Although she still produced an inconsistent display, she managed the deciding set more effectively by keeping rallies alive and reducing unnecessary mistakes.
Jovic's level dipped noticeably in the final set as her first serve percentage fell and errors increased. Gauff steadied herself late on and closed out the match by winning the final three games.
The victory sends Gauff into a quarter-final clash with Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva, where she will likely need a much sharper performance.
Meanwhile, in the men's draw, world number one Jannik Sinner continued his dominant run with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 victory over Australia's Alexei Popyrin. The Italian extended his winning streak at ATP Masters events to 30 matches and remains on course to complete a clean sweep of all nine Masters titles.
