Coco Gauff rallied from a bout of nausea to dispatch Sorana Cirstea in a gritty Mutua Madrid Open third‑round. After dropping the first set 4-6, the French Open champion clawed back 7‑5, then dominated the decider 6‑1 to reach the fourth round. The win marked her first Madrid victory since last year’s final.

Mid‑match the American summoned a physio, vomited on court and later underwent a blood‑pressure check. Doctors linked her malaise to the so‑called Madrid virus that has already forced Iga Swiatek, Marin Cilic and Madison Keys out of the event. Gauff admitted she was “just trying to finish the match.”

Clay slowed the ball, giving Gauff extra time to recover after each rally, a factor she said helped her compensate for reduced movement. Cirstea complained to umpire Kader Nouni about audible coaching from Gauff’s box, but the official dismissed the protest. Gauff’s next hurdle will be Linda Noskova, who advanced via walkover.

Advancing past a physical scare underscores Gauff’s resilience heading into the quarterfinals, where she will test her form against a fresh opponent. The victory also keeps her on pace for a deep run at a tournament plagued by health concerns, reinforcing her status as a top contender on clay.