ROME - Third seed Coco Gauff surged into her second consecutive Italian Open final on Thursday, defeating Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3. The 22-year-old American now has two WTA 1000 final appearances this year, following her runner-up finish in Miami.
Gauff rallied from an early 4-2 deficit, winning four straight games to claim the first set. She overcame a brief pause for a spectator needing medical attention, then broke Cirstea decisively in the eighth game of the second set.
The win ends a grueling stretch for Gauff, who played three-set matches in three previous rounds. Cirstea, planning retirement later this year, exits after stunning world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.
Gauff now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina.