Elisabetta Cocciaretto claimed her first victory of 2025 at the WTA 250 tournament held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, defeating home favorite Irina-Camelia Begu with scores of 6-3, 7-5.
The match, played at the BT Arena, showcased Cocciaretto’s resilience, especially during the second set where she faced significant pressure. Ranked 60th globally and the seventh seed at the tournament, the Italian player demonstrated her tenacity by saving five set points against Begu, who herself was once ranked as high as 22nd.
The opening set kick-started with both players exchanging breaks of serve. After falling behind early on by losing her serve, Cocciaretto bounced back swiftly, reestablishing control to lead 4-2. She maintained her composure and closed the first set 6-3.
It was the second set where things got particularly dramatic. Cocciaretto found herself trailing 5-3 with Begu serving and three set points available to her opponent at 40-0. Faced with what seemed like almost certain defeat, Cocciaretto exhibited remarkable mental fortitude, denying all five set points, including one at 4-5 when her own serve was under threat.
After pulling off the incredible escape, Cocciaretto seized the momentum, clinching four games consecutively to seal the set 7-5 and secure her place in the second round. This match marks Cocciaretto's first win against Begu after losing two previous encounters at the 2020 Rome Open and the 2022 Wimbledon.
The victory not only gives Cocciaretto momentum heading forward, but it may also signal the end of her run of six consecutive losses across various tournaments leading up to this event.
Looking onward, she will face the winner of the match between Romanian wildcard Ana Bogdan and British player Jodie Burrage. With the tournament awarding $275,094 in total prize money, Cocciaretto’s performance will be one to watch as she seeks to build on this initial success.
Given the issues she experienced last season, including early exits from WTA events and losing matches at the Billie Jean King Cup, this win could prove pivotal for Cocciaretto’s confidence and performance as she aims to solidify her place among the top players.
Many analysts view her emotional recovery under pressure as indicative of improved mental strength, which will be needed as she ventures through the challenges presented by the WTA tour.
Cocciaretto's next match will be pivotal, not just for the immediate stakes of the tournament but for her overall confidence as she navigates the rest of the season.