“Future of Tennis” – Coco Gauff Breaks Into Top 25 Following Phenomenal Run at WTA Parma 2021

After coming close at Charleston and Rome, Coco Gauff is finally in sight of her second career Tour title and her first this year at Parma, Italy.

The American teen tennis sensation prevailed in three sets against Czech star Katerina Siniakova to reach the final of the clay court event on Saturday.

Her win in the last four and the string of impressive victories that came before in the tournament makes her the favorite going into the final against Wang Qiang of China on Sunday.

Coco Gauff will be the new World No.25 on Monday

However, even before the ball is set rolling in the championship clash, Gauff has already taken her next major career leap.

Courtesy her glittering run on clay this year, a quarter-final appearance at Charleston followed by a run to the semifinals in Rome, the American has reached the Top-25 in singles at just 17 years of age.

What’s more, Gauff has also reached the doubles final at Parma, partnering good friend and compatriot Caty McNally, and could be in for a double delight in the two finals on Sunday.

The 17-year-old will take the No.25 slot when the new rankings come out on Monday.

Gauff beat Katerina Siniakova to reach WTA Parma final

Tweeting about her phenomenal run in Parma, yesteryear tennis great Chris Evert complimented young Gauff as the “future of tennis.”

Sharing a clip of the American in the Italian city, Evert wrote, “(emojis) she’s the future of tennis…AND the present…”

For someone who served notice of her talent by taking down five-time champion Venus Williams at Wimbledon, and that too on her maiden Grand Slam appearance via a wildcard, Gauff could finally be starting to realize some of that potential now.

A title in Parma would put her in a strong position, in terms of belief and confidence, from which to launch her campaign at Roland-Garros.

She looked to be a serious title-contender at the Italian Open till she fell to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the last four.

Read More: WOW! Coco Gauff Fights Back Against Serena Williams’ Slayer Katerina Siniakova to Reach WTA Parma 2021 Final

A standout feature of Coco‘s performance against Siniakova on Saturday was how she kept calm after dropping the second set and found her bearings again to prevail in three sets.