Raducanu Rome run halted in last 16 as Coco Gauff turns up the heat on clay
Emma Raducanu’s encouraging surge through the Italian Open came to an abrupt halt on Monday, as world number three Coco Gauff delivered a reminder of what it takes to compete at the top of women’s tennis. The American, fresh off a runner-up finish in Madrid, dominated from start to finish in a 6-1, 6-2 victory, booking her place in the quarter-finals and ending Raducanu’s best clay-court run to date.
It was a performance brimming with confidence and clarity from Gauff, who continues to fine-tune her game in preparation for another crack at Roland-Garros. For Raducanu, meanwhile, the match served as both a learning experience and a signal of the progress she has quietly been making in a season of rebuilding.
A Reality Check from a Class Operator
On paper, this was always going to be a mountain to climb for Raducanu. Ranked 49th in the world and still in the early stages of rediscovering her rhythm following an injury-hit 2023, she entered the match as the underdog against the US Open champion and current world No.3.
And Gauff wasted no time asserting her authority on the clay of Rome’s Foro Italico. Her aggressive returning, rock-solid defence, and explosive forehand quickly set the tone. The 21-year-old broke Raducanu early and never looked back, wrapping up the first set in just over half an hour.
The second followed a similar script. Although Raducanu managed to dig in during a few longer rallies, Gauff’s athleticism and composure under pressure proved too much. Whenever the Briton looked to build momentum, Gauff snuffed it out with punishing groundstrokes or impeccable defensive play.
“Emma is always a tough opponent, no matter the surface,” Gauff said afterwards. “I knew I had to be at my best, and I think my forehand really helped me control the points today. I’m feeling more confident with every match.”
Rome Highlights Raducanu’s Growing Clay Confidence
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Raducanu leaves Rome with more positives than negatives. This was the first time in her young career that she managed to string together three consecutive wins on clay — a surface that has long been her least familiar.
Her route to the fourth round included a gritty win over Australian teenager Maya Joint, a comeback against Swiss lucky loser Jil Teichmann, and a composed performance against Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova. None of those names carry the weight of Gauff’s, but all were valuable in building Raducanu’s confidence and clay-court instincts.
The British number two openly admits she’s still getting used to life on the red dirt. Growing up in the UK, her exposure to clay courts was limited, and as a pro, she’s still played fewer than 25 matches on the surface — a stark contrast to her 80-plus hard-court outings.
“This surface doesn’t come naturally to me,” Raducanu said after the match. “But I’m learning every day. I didn’t win the match today, but I’ll still find a way to win the day. There’s always something to take forward.”
That sort of perspective — grounded, pragmatic, and positive — is exactly what has helped Raducanu slowly start climbing again after a turbulent two years.
Petchey Partnership Brings Renewed Focus
Part of Raducanu’s recent resurgence can be attributed to her current coaching setup. Former player and commentator Mark Petchey has been offering guidance on an informal basis, and the results have been encouraging.
Since the pair started working together, Raducanu has won eight of her last eleven matches — a strong run that’s restored some of the spark that once carried her to that unforgettable US Open title in 2021. Petchey, alongside Raducanu’s long-time mentor Jane O’Donoghue, seems to be providing the kind of stable, calming presence she’s needed.
Whether the partnership becomes something more long-term remains to be seen. Petchey’s primary role in the sport has been in broadcasting, and O’Donoghue is currently on sabbatical from her day job. But for now, the chemistry appears to be working.
Raducanu looks relaxed again. She’s smiling more, embracing the grind, and approaching tournaments with a sense of purpose — a far cry from the tension that hovered over her in 2022 and early 2023.
Battle for British No.1 Heating Up
Raducanu’s Rome run also nudged her closer to reclaiming the British number one ranking. Currently ranked 49th, a win over Gauff would have likely vaulted her into the top 40 — and past current British No.1 Katie Boulter, who fell in the opening round in Italy.
The two have quietly developed a friendly rivalry since Boulter assumed the top British spot in July 2023. But there’s now a third contender in the mix: 22-year-old Sonay Kartal, who has been climbing the WTA rankings steadily and recently cracked the top 60.
It makes for an intriguing subplot heading into the French Open, where all three will be hoping to make meaningful strides.
Looking Ahead to Paris
With Roland-Garros just around the corner, Raducanu will now shift her attention to Paris. She’s expected to enter the French Open unseeded, which could present another early encounter with a top-10 player — but she won’t arrive short on belief.
Physically, she’s looked sharp in Rome. Her movement has improved significantly on clay, her serve has gained consistency, and mentally, she seems more settled than she has in years.
The defeat to Gauff, while sobering, wasn’t demoralising. It was a clear picture of where the bar is set at the top of the women’s game. And if Raducanu wants to get back to the heights of Flushing Meadows 2021, these are the kinds of matches she needs to experience — and learn from.
For now, her Italian Open may be over, but the building blocks for something bigger are beginning to take shape.
