Coco Gauff had to dig deep to reach the third round of the Italian Open, coming from behind to defeat Canadian qualifier Victoria Mboko 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a tough second-round match in Rome. Despite an unconvincing start, the world number three turned things around to set up a clash with Poland’s Magda Linette.
Eighteen-year-old Mboko, ranked 156 in the world, gave Gauff a serious test under the lights on centre court, showing the kind of composed and aggressive tennis that has seen her rise over 170 places this year. She broke Gauff four times in the opening set before the American’s experience and resilience won out.
“Victoria played some great tennis,” Gauff said afterwards. “I just had to find a way to lift my level.”
Meanwhile, world number one Aryna Sabalenka wasted no time in her opener, breezing past Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour. The Belarusian, who has reached the final in her last four events and recently won in both Madrid and Miami, will face American Sofia Kenin next. Kenin advanced after a commanding 6-3, 6-0 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu got her campaign off to a strong start with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Jil Teichmann, who entered the draw as a lucky loser after Ekaterina Alexandrova pulled out with a shoulder injury.
On the men’s side, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz made a solid return from injury by defeating Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 in his first match since picking up a thigh injury in the Barcelona Open final. Despite 22 unforced errors, the world number three was pleased with his performance. Alcaraz will next face Laslo Djere, who swept past Alex Michelsen.
Looking ahead, a potential blockbuster final looms between Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner, who returns from a doping ban on Saturday against Mariano Navone. Alcaraz, speaking after his win, said he planned to rest and watch Sinner’s match and a football game between Lazio and Juventus.
Defending champion Alexander Zverev also advanced with ease, beating Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-2, 6-1. Italian Lorenzo Musetti marked his debut week in the ATP top 10 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Otto Virtanen and now faces American Brandon Nakashima.
In other results, Daniil Medvedev beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-2 to move into the third round, where he’ll take on Alexei Popyrin. Ninth seed Holger Rune fought back to beat Francisco Comesana in three sets and will play Corentin Moutet next, after the Frenchman progressed due to an injury withdrawal from compatriot Ugo Humbert.
