Coco Gauff overcame a severe bout of illness on court to secure a remarkable victory at the Madrid Open on Monday. The American third seed vomited during her second-round match against Sorana Cirstea but rallied to win 4-6 7-5 6-1.
Gauff Struck by 'Madrid Stomach Virus'
Gauff attributed her on-court sickness to a stomach virus that has been circulating among players at the tournament. She expressed surprise at falling ill, stating that she rarely gets sick. The virus has already caused several withdrawals, including world number one Iga Swiatek, Ann Li, and Liudmila Samsonova, who either pulled out or received walkovers.
Gauff's Resilience Shines Through
Despite the physical setback, Gauff displayed remarkable determination. After losing the first set, she fought back to win the second and dominated the third to seal the victory. She is now set to face Linda Noskova in the fourth round.
Other Players Take Precautions
Jannik Sinner, who advanced to the fourth round with a 6-2 6-3 win, is taking precautions to avoid the widespread illness. He acknowledged the close proximity of players and the risk of infection. Meanwhile, Marta Kostyuk secured an emphatic victory over Jessica Pegula in another match.
The Madrid Open continues with players and organisers monitoring the health situation closely.
