Clay is a surface which does not come naturally to Raducanu.
Like most British players, the 22-year-old Briton had less exposure to the red dirt in her formative years and lacks experience on these courts as a professional.
Raducanu’s meeting against Gauff was only the 21st clay-court match of her career – compared to 81 on hard courts and 20 on the grass.
Therefore, it is no surprise she is still – by her own accord – finding her feet on the surface.
Beating Australian teenager Maya Joint, Swiss lucky loser Jil Teichmann and Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova to reach the Rome last 16 represented solid progress.
Facing Gauff was a different proposition – and proved to be a reminder of the gap which exists between Raducanu and the world’s best.
While Raducanu’s movement has improved on the clay, Gauff’s high-bouncing returns and weight of shot proved difficult to cope with.
Raducanu did regularly manage to get herself into the points, but the American’s outstanding athleticism meant it was difficult for the Briton to dictate them.
Nevertheless, Raducanu will head to the French Open – which starts on 25 May – in a positive frame of mind.
Since bringing Mark Petchey into her coaching team on an informal basis, Raducanu has cut a more relaxed, happier figure at tournaments and it has allowed her game to flourish.
She has won eight of her 11 matches with Petchey, working alongside Raducanu’s long-time ally Jane O’Donoghue, in her corner.
How long the partnership will last remains uncertain.
Tennis commentator Petchey and O’Donoghue – who is taking a sabbatical from her job in finance – do not appear to be long-term solutions, even if Raducanu will be keen to maintain what is proving to be an encouraging dynamic.
