"On fire" - Danielle Collins cheers on Coco Gauff's singles SF and doubles runner-up finishes at Italian Open 2024

Danielle Collins has hailed compatriot Coco Gauff's performances at the recently-concluded Italian Open. Gauff reached the women's singles semifinals and the women's doubles final at the prestigious WTA 1000 event.

The World No. 3 battled past three unseeded opponents- Magdalena Frech, Jaqueline Cristian and Paula Badosa to set up a clash against World No. 8 Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals. After clinching a tight first set against the Chinese sensation 7-6(4), Gauff sealed her spot in the semis with a dominant display in the second set (6-1).

However, in the semis, eventual champion Iga Swiatek proved too hot for Gauff to handle. Despite the American's best efforts, she ultimately lost the match 4-6, 3-6 to the World No. 1. While the defeat marked the end of the reigning US Open champion's singles campaign, she still had unfinished business in the women's doubles event.

Partnering Australian Erin Routliffe, Gauff met the all-Italian pair of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani in the women's doubles final. Despite their efforts, Gauff and Routliffe fell short in the final, losing 3-6, 6-4, 8-10.

Later, a proud Gauff took to social media to revel in her achievements at Rome. Her Instagram post featured the caption:

"Rome finalist & semi finalist, Grazie!"

Danielle Collins, who made it to the other singles semifinal but lost to eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka, commented on Gauff's post, hailing her younger compatriot's performances at the Italian Open.

"On fire," Collins wrote, followed by a fire emoji.

Danielle Collins' comment on Coco Gauff's Instagram post

"I always root for Danielle Collins, even though I wouldn't necessarily say we're super close" - Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff celebrating her win over Paula Badosa at the 2024 Italian Open

Following her loss to Swiatek in the Italian Open semis, Gauff assessed the recent surge of American tennis players. On the ATP side, Taylor Fritz reached the quarterfinals in Rome while Tommy Paul made it to the semifinals. During her assessment, Gauff professed her admiration for Collins as well as Paul.

According to the World No. 3, she is always supportive of Paul and Collins, despite not being very close to them.

"Specifically Tommy and Danielle are people that I always root for, even though I wouldn't necessarily say we're super close," Gauff said during a press conference.

The 20-year-old went on to say that she loves Collins, revealing that their time together in the USA team at the Billie Jean King Cup cemented their bond.

"Danielle and I, I love her. Me and her got closer after the Billie Jean King Cup we did together. She's just a great person honestly. I love to see her do well. I think if you ask her, she loves to see me do well," Gauff added.

Collins is currently preparing for her first match in the second round of the Internationaux de Strasbourg, where she is the No. 3 seed and has received a first-round bye. Gauff, on the other hand, is expected to feature next at the year's second Grand Slam, the French Open.