TENNIS
When does Coco Gauff play next in the Italian Open? Opponent, time, and date
The American is enjoying her tennis at the Italian Open but now faces world number one Iga Swiatek for a place in the final.
It hasn’t been an easy job to get to the Italian Open semifinals, but Coco Gauff has made it to the last four of the calendar’s fifth Masters 1000 event, putting in her most impressive performance of the tournament in the quarterfinals against Chinese star Zheng Qinwen.
Gauff going from strength to strength in Rome
The Atlanta native is fighting to get back to her best form, the same that saw her win the US Open in 2023 after a great run of wins during the hard-court US summer tour.
Gauff is looking to win her second title this campaign after emerging victorious at the ASB Classic in Auckland when she defeated Elina Svitolina in the final. After that, she came close to winning her second major in the Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals, and Indian Wells, where she was eliminated in the same round.
The 20-year-old star, a French Open finalist in 2022, is now looking to make a statement in Rome ahead of the second Grand Slam tournament of the year.
After dispatching Magdalena French in the opening round, she overcame a couple of scares against Jaqueline Cristian and Paula Badosa. But she showed glimpses of her best form against Zheng in the last eight, especially in the second and final set, which she comfortably won 6-1.
Iga Swiatek: world number one and multiple major winner
After beating the Chinese in straight sets, Gauff faces her most daunting challenge yet - Iga Swiatek, the current world number one.
The 22-year-old Pole has four Grand Slams to her name, the most recent of which was the 2023 French Open. Swiatek has been in imperious form in Rome, not dropping a single set in matches against Bernarda Pera of the USA, Yulia Putintseva, Angelique Kerber and Madison Keys, another American.
When is Gauff vs Swiatek?
Gauff and Swiatek have taken one step closer to the title in Rome, but which of these young stars will be victorious?
In the United States, tennis fans can follow the Gauff vs Swiatek semifinal clash on Thursday 16 May. The estimated start time is 3pm local time, which is 9am ET and 6am PT. The match will be broadcast on the Tennis Channel platform.