Roger Federer’s Ex-Coach Reveals Why Coco Gauff Always Beats Mirra Andreeva After Their Clash at the Italian Open

Coco Gauff has never lost to Mirra Andreeva in their four meetings and has lost only once to a player younger than her.

Roger Federer’s Ex-Coach Reveals Why Coco Gauff Always Beats Mirra Andreeva After Their Clash at the Italian Open

Mirra Andreeva and Coco Gauff (via X/WTA/ Italian Open)

Coco Gauff extended her winning record against Mirra Andreeva to 4-0 after beating the Russian star in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. Also, the American star continued with her impressive form on clay in Rome. Roger Federer’s ex-coach, Paul Annacone, was full of praise for the former US Open champion after her dominant win over Andreeva.

Gauff has never lost a match against the Russian teenager. Despite Andreeva’s good run against players in the Top 10 this season, she has not yet cracked the code to beat Gauff. Their first meeting was at the Madrid Open quarter-finals, where the 21-year-old ousted Andreeva in straight sets.

On Wednesday (May 14), they faced each other again. This time, it was a competitive battle as both players exchanged some impressive shots. However, Gauff dominated the match, especially in the first set where the Russian teenager kept hitting poor backhand shots and couldn’t track the World No.2’s drop shots.

In the second set, Andreeva came firing with more power, but Gauff used her elite defensive skills to force the 18-year-old to make more errors, and her forehand, which has been her greatest strength, let her down on a couple of occasions. Gauff cemented her victory 6-4, 7-6(5) to reach the semi-finals of the Italian Open.

During a conversation, Roger Federer’s ex-coach, Paul Annacone, was very pleased with Gauff’s professional display. He revealed Gauff plays better during long rallies, which is one of Andreeva’s strengths, but the former was more solid during their encounter. Paul Annacone said via Tennis Channel:

I think Coco just adds such a big threat because of the great defensive skills when Andreeva plays against her. She is not quite sure how to finish the points, and Coco is the one who can just feel a little more solid in the rallies, not afraid to come forward when she has to, and I like when she improvises and uses the slice forehand because that can create some imbalance.

Gauff then faced Qinwen Zheng in the semi-finals of the Italian Open. She had recently met the Chinese star at the WTA Finals in November and claimed a three-set victory to win the title. Gauff continued her excellent run to earn a tough three-set win over the Chinese.

Tim Henman praises Coco Gauff’s style of play after beating Mirra Andreeva in Rome

The last time Coco Gauff lost to a player younger than her was at the 2024 Toronto Masters, where she was beaten by Diana Shnaider, who is just three weeks younger than her. Gauff has won 11 of her 12 meetings against players younger than her on the Tour.

She has established herself as one of the top players in the WTA and has always evolved in her game. Tim Henman stated after her victory over Andreeva that she’s playing confidently with controlled aggression. Henman said via Sky Sports:

We were by the side of the court and it was very evident to see what a heavy ball that Coco Gauff was hitting. Raducanu almost said it to us on the side of the court – this is so heavy. And when any player is playing with that controlled aggression that is when they are their best. I think with the clay it perhaps gives Gauff a little bit more time to get that swing in, we know she has a big swing in preparation. But she is building that confidence, and you can see what that win means to her.

Mirra Andreeva, Coco Gauff
Mirra Andreeva, Coco Gauff (Image via X/Tennis Channel, We Are Tennis)

Gauff has lost just once in her last ten matches on clay. The American star reached the final of the Madrid Open but lost to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. It’s the first time this season that she has enjoyed this kind of run of form.

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