Tennis star Coco Gauff endured a heartbreaking finish to her Italian Open campaign after losing the final to Elina Svitolina in a dramatic three-set battle in Rome.
The American star fell 4-6, 7-6(3), 2-6 as Svitolina captured the Italian Open title and continued her remarkable run of form ahead of the French Open.
Frustration boiled over for Gauff during the tense first set after a costly double fault. Cameras captured the reigning French Open champion smashing her racket against her head before throwing it onto the sofa near her bench in an emotional outburst.
The emotional moment reflected the immense pressure Gauff has been facing throughout the clay season. Earlier in the Italian Open, Gauff had also hit herself with her racket during a difficult match against Solana Sierra.
Despite the painful defeat, there remains optimism for Gauff heading into Roland Garros. Last year, she also finished runner-up in Rome before going on to win the French Open title, a parallel many fans quickly pointed out online.
