Elisabetta Cocciaretto produced a stunning display of resilience at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington on Monday, coming from a set down to defeat world No. 30 Clara Tauson 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) in a marathon that lasted three hours and 11 minutes.
The 25-year-old Italian, currently ranked 71st in the world, showed remarkable composure in the two tie-breaks she faced, dropping just four points across both — two points in each. It was a performance built on character as much as quality, with Cocciaretto repeatedly finding a way back after falling behind.
The first set followed a familiar pattern from their only previous meeting — in Roland Garros qualifying in 2020, also won by Tauson. The Dane broke Cocciaretto in the opening game and never looked back, taking the set 6-4 without facing a single break point.
The second set seemed to be heading the same way when Tauson broke early again for 2-0. But the script flipped midway through. Tauson's level dipped, and Cocciaretto seized the opportunity, breaking back for 3-3. The Italian even earned two set points on Tauson's serve at 6-5 but could not convert. In the tie-break, however, the match turned decisively: after falling 2-0 behind, Cocciaretto won seven consecutive points to take it 7-2 and level the match.
In the decider, Cocciaretto built a 3-1 lead after breaking Tauson in a 16-point third game. She maintained the advantage until serving for the match at 5-4, only to lose her serve to love. Tauson saved three break points in the next game to stay alive, and after Cocciaretto failed to serve it out, the match went to another tie-break.
Once again, the Italian dominated the shootout, racing to a 6-1 lead and closing it out 7-2 on her second match point when Tauson sent a forehand long.
The victory was Cocciaretto's 21st win of the 2026 season, adding to an impressive campaign that already includes the title in Hobart (from qualifying) and a quarterfinal run at the WTA 1000 in Doha, also from qualifying.
Cocciaretto will face either Emma Navarro, the No. 8 seed and world No. 26, or wild card Sofia Kenin in the second round.
Sources
- https://www.ubitennis.com/blog/2026/07/27/wta-washington-cocciaretto-non-molla-mai-tauson-battuta-dopo-oltre-tre-ore/
- https://www.tennisitaliano.it/wta-washington-una-grande-cocciaretto-vince-in-rimonta-sconfitta-la-tauson-in-tre-set/
