- Raducanu won three clay-court matches on the spin to reach the fourth round
- Gauff outclassed the Briton in Rome 6-1 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals in Rome
World No 3 Coco Gauff has put an end to Emma Raducanu’s resurgence at the Italian Open, putting on a dominant display to defeat the Briton in straight sets and move into the quarter-finals in Rome.
Gauff, who is the favourite to win the competition, beat the 23-year-old in fairly comfortable fashion, 6-1 6-2, to deny Raducanu the chance of becoming British No 1.
Raducanu – ranked 49th in the world – came into the fourth round in confident mood after an impressive comeback win over Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, setting up a battle with the US star.
And had she managed to get past Gauff, the once US Open champion would have reclaimed her status as British tennis’ number one ranked female star from Katie Boulter
However, the American was just too good. Raducanu was broken early in the first set and was never able to recover; Gauff’s pedigree on the clay surface was just a step too far.
Despite the defeat, Raducanu’s run to the fourth round will serve as encouragement ahead of the French Open, where she is likely to play at Roland-Garros at the end of the month.
Emma Raducanu has been knocked out of the Italian Open in the fourth round
The British number two won three clay-court matches on the bounce for the veyr first time in her career to set up Monday’s showdown in the Italian capital.
More to follow.
