Zheng and Gauff Set for a High-Stakes Clash in Rome Semifinal Showdown
Finally, it’s semifinal time at the Italian Open, with eighth seed Qinwen Zheng set to face fourth seed Coco Gauff in a blockbuster showdown. The Chinese, after a slow start to the year, has hit her stride since March with back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in Indian Wells, Miami, and Charleston. Gauff, too, has had an up-and-down season, but she rediscovered her rhythm in Madrid, reaching the final before falling to Aryna Sabalenka.
Now, with both players peaking in Rome and showing off their dynamic styles, this semifinal promises to be a thrilling clash between two rising stars in red-hot form.
The Italian Open semifinals will be their third meeting on tour, and Gauff leads the head-to-head 2-0. Their most recent clash came at the 2024 WTA Finals, where they battled through a gritty, high-stakes three-setter that ended in a dramatic third-set tiebreak.
But momentum might be shifting. Zheng just pulled off a stunning upset over Aryna Sabalenka, her first-ever win against the Belarusian, and she did it in straight sets, despite coming in with a daunting 0-6 record.
Now, Zheng carries serious confidence into this semifinal, and many believe she could take down Gauff next. But let’s not forget, Gauff is the world No. 3 for a reason. She’s been sharp all tournament, and her gritty win over rising star Mirra Andreeva (the Dubai and Indian Wells champion) showed just how composed and clutch she can be under pressure.
Both Zheng and Gauff are no longer underdogs; they’re headline acts. And as they battle for a spot in the 2025 Italian Open final, a shot at WTA 1000 glory hangs in the balance.
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 02:30 PM ET
Venue: Pista Centrale, Foro Italico, Rome
Court: Campo Centrale (Central Court)
Zheng vs. Gauff, the Italian Open QF, will be available to watch live on the following channels:
Also Read: WTA Italian Open 2025 Semifinal Schedule: Who Faces Whom for a Spot in the Final?
The Italian Open semifinal between Zheng and Gauff can also be streamed live on official websites like Tennis Channel and WTA TV.
