Coco Gauff staged a dramatic comeback at the Madrid Open on Sunday, overcoming a severe stomach illness that forced her to vomit on court. The world number three defeated Romania's Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in a third-round clash that tested her resilience.
Illness Strikes Mid-Match
The 22-year-old American fell ill after dropping the first set. During the second set, she briefly left the court behind a rose bush near the baseline. A doctor later checked her vital signs during a changeover. 'I don't know how I got it done,' Gauff told Sky Sports. 'Just dealing with a lot of trying to keep my food down. But once I threw up after the first set, I felt a bit better.'
Virus Spreading Through Tournament
Gauff suspects she caught the 'Madrid stomach virus' that has affected several players. Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek retired from her match against Ann Li a day earlier due to illness. Liudmila Samsonova and Marin Cilic have also battled health issues at the event. The problem has even surfaced in soccer, with Real Madrid's Raul Ascencio hospitalized with severe gastroenteritis. Earlier this month, health officials in Andalusia warned about a highly infectious stomach flu.
'I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately,' Gauff said. 'So I'm just going to try to push through for tomorrow.'
Determination Pays Off
Despite feeling drained in the Spanish sun, Gauff fought through. 'Honestly, I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another,' she said. The victory was particularly meaningful as she finished runner-up in Madrid last year before winning the French Open.
Gauff moves on to face Linda Noskova, the number 13 seed, on Monday. Her ability to overcome adversity will be crucial as she aims for another deep run in the Spanish capital.
