Italian Open: Gauff survives Sierra scare to enter Rd of 16

Coco Gauff was forced to come from a set down on her way to the Italian Open last 16 after overcoming a stern test from Solana Sierra.

Gauff, who was a beaten finalist in Rome last year, edged closer to another shot at glory with a 5-7 6-0 6-4 victory in two hours and 10 minutes.

The third seed started strongly with a break of serve in a mammoth second game, only for Sierra to immediately hit back.

Gauff's frustrations boiled over after she was broken at 5-5, with the American hitting her own head with her racquet.

She lashed out again when Sierra clinched the opening set.

However, the American responded emphatically, with a second-set bagel, to tee up a decider.

Yet she needed to dig deep after finding herself 3-0 down.

But she won six of the last seven games, setting up a clash against fellow Americans Taylor Townsend or Iva Jovic.

Coco Gauff battles on

Though not at her very best, Gauff's grit and determination has seen her reach the round of 16 at the Italian Open for the fifth time in her career, with only Gabriela Sabatini (seven) doing so more often before turning 23 in the Open Era.

It is also the eighth time she has reached this stage on clay in WTA-1000 events, surpassing Iga Swiatek (seven) with the most round of 16 outings at this stage before turning 23.

Gauff also registered her 19th win at the Italian Open, the most victories she has claimed at a single WTA-level event in her career (excluding grand slams).