Coco Gauff Survives Teen Titan Victoria Mboko in Rome Second-Rounder
Coco Gauff showcased her resilience and experience on Friday night, overcoming a spirited challenge from teenage newcomer Victoria Mboko to win her second-round match at the 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Gauff, the No. 4 seed, dug deep to secure a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory after 1 hour and 43 minutes of play.
Gauff Trips Up Another Teen Sensation
In a repeat of her Madrid opener two weeks ago, Gauff found herself a set down and on the brink against another promising youngster. Mboko, an 18-year-old Canadian qualifier, pushed Gauff to the limit with her defensive skills and clever shot-making. However, the American responded with a clinical display of tennis, turning the tables to cruise through the second and third sets.
Anatomy of a Comeback
Gauff broke Mboko at love early in the second set, setting the stage for a dominant display. She broke the Canadian six times in a row, committed just seven unforced errors, and won six of the final seven games to seal the comeback. Gauff finished with 25 winners to Mboko’s 13, and converted nine of her 13 break points.
Gauff’s Rome History and Streak Intact
Friday’s win stretches Gauff’s Rome opening match winning streak to 7-0. The 19-year-old has a solid history on the Foro Italico clay, reaching the semifinals in 2021 and 2024. Additionally, Gauff has not lost a match to a player outside the Top 100 since her 2023 Wimbledon first-round defeat to Sofia Kenin.
Up Next: Linette in Third Round
Gauff will face No. 32 seed Magda Linette in the third round. The Pole upset former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari earlier in the day. Gauff leads Linette 2-1 in their head-to-head, but Linette won their most recent meeting in Miami.
Did you know?
Mboko’s Rise: Despite losing, Mboko’s stock continues to rise. She ended 2024 ranked No. 350 but has climbed 194 spots to her current career-high ranking of No. 156.
Pro Tip: Gauff’s Clay Maturity
“I’ve been playing on clay for a few years now, and I feel like I’m learning more each year. It’s all about being patient and finding the right balance between aggression and consistency.” – Coco Gauff
Call to Action
Now that you’ve caught up with Gauff’s Rome progress, dive into our Tennis News section to explore more stories from the world of tennis!