Coco Gauff tackled illness and a deficit as she battled past Sorana Cirstea at the Madrid Open on Sunday.

Gauff threw up on court at one stage during the second-round contest, yet ultimately prevailed 4-6 7-5 6-1 to book her place in the last 16. 

A topsy-turvy opening set saw the duo exchange two breaks apiece before Cirstea got the better of Gauff's serve for the third time.

The vulnerability on serve continued into the second set, with six breaks traded evenly. At 4-4, Gauff then had to take a medical timeout due to illness.

However, she recovered her composure to break and take the set, before cruising to victory in the decider.

"Honestly, I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another," Gauff said.

"I think I've got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately. Just going to try to push through."

33 - Since the Tier-1/WTA-1000 format introduction in 1990, only Martina Hingis (44), Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Wozniacki (34 each) have reached Round of 16 more often in such events than Coco Gauff (33) before turning 23. Rise. #MMOPEN | @MutuaMadridOpen @WTA pic.twitter.com/bMboSjCUMD

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 26, 2026

Iga Swiatek was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Saturday.

Gauff is due to take on Linda Noskova in the round of 16.

Data Debrief: Gauff into another round of 16

Since the Tier-1/WTA-1000 format's introduction in 1990, only three players have reached the last 16 of such tournaments on more occasions than Gauff before turning 23.

Gauff has now reached the round of 16 33 times at such events. Martina Hingis (44), Svetlana Kuznetsova and Caroline Wozniacki (34 each) are the only players to better that tally.