China's Zheng Qinwen was eliminated in the semifinals of the WTA Italian Open on Thursday, losing to Coco Gauff 7-6(3), 6-4, 7-6(4) in a nearly four-hour battle. "This match taught me a lot, particularly highlighting the technical aspects I need to improve.

Coco Gauff needed three and a half hours to get past Zheng Qinwen in three sets Thursday to reach the Italian Open final, where she'll face Jasmine Paolini.

World No. 2 is primed to make a deep run at the French Open and potentially collect her second career slam title