---
title: "Gauff digs deep to beat Jovic in Rome comeback"
description: "Coco Gauff rallied from a set down to defeat qualifier Iva Jovic at the Italian Open, keeping her French Open preparations on track."
url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/italian-open-2026-coco-gauff-shows-spirit-to-beat-iva-jovic-mp1f3swl
published: 2026-05-11T14:28:05+00:00
updated: 2026-05-13T08:26:56.928+00:00
author: "Kostadin Stamboliev"
publisher: "Pineido"
site: "Sportopod"
language: en
topics: ["tennis"]
---

# Gauff digs deep to beat Jovic in Rome comeback

> Coco Gauff rallied from a set down to defeat qualifier Iva Jovic at the Italian Open, keeping her French Open preparations on track.

Coco Gauff survived a stern test at the 2026 Italian Open on Tuesday, rallying from a set down to defeat American qualifier Iva Jovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Rome.

The win keeps the world No. 3's clay-court season alive after a shaky start saw Jovic, 18, take the opening set with aggressive baseline play.

Gauff struggled early with her forehand and timing, allowing Jovic to dictate rallies.

But the former US Open champion adjusted her game in the second set, stepping into the court and using her defensive speed to force errors from the qualifier.

The shift in momentum was decisive as Gauff broke early in the decider and never looked back.

This result is more than just a second-round win.

A loss to a qualifier here would have raised serious questions about Gauff's form and mental resilience on clay ahead of Roland Garros.

Instead, she showed the fighting spirit that carried her to the 2024 French Open final.

The comeback also extends her winning streak in Rome, where she reached the semifinals last year.

What's next: Gauff will face either Daria Kasatkina or a qualifier in the third round as she continues her build-up to the French Open, which starts May 25.

## Why this matters

Gauff's comeback win in Rome is a crucial confidence builder ahead of Roland Garros. A loss to a qualifier here would have raised serious questions about her clay-court form and mental resilience. This result keeps her momentum alive in the European swing and sends a clear message: she can grind through early-round pressure on clay, exactly what she'll need to contend for the title in Paris.

## Frequently asked

### What happened in the match between Coco Gauff and Iva Jovic?

Gauff lost the first set 4-6 before rallying to win 6-3, 6-2 at the Italian Open in Rome. She adjusted her game in the second set to overpower the young qualifier.

### Why is this win important for Gauff?

It keeps her French Open preparations on track. A loss to a qualifier would have damaged her confidence and raised doubts about her clay-court form ahead of Roland Garros.

### Who is Iva Jovic?

Iva Jovic is an 18-year-old American qualifier who pushed Gauff hard in the first set before fading. She is considered a rising talent on the WTA Tour.

### What is next for Gauff at the Italian Open?

Gauff will face either Daria Kasatkina or another qualifier in the third round as she continues her clay-court season in Rome.

## Sources & Citations

- [Italian Open 2026: Coco Gauff shows spirit to beat Iva Jovic in Rome](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cvgz65m02kro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — TheNewsAPI.com (2026-05-11)

---

Cite: Gauff digs deep to beat Jovic in Rome comeback. Sportopod, 2026-05-11. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/italian-open-2026-coco-gauff-shows-spirit-to-beat-iva-jovic-mp1f3swl