New Delhi: Emma Raducanu lost to Coco Gauff in the 2025 Italian Open as Gauff thrashed her in straight sets to seal the spot in the fourth round. The Word No.3 showed her class, clay-court prowess and proved too strong for the British No.1 as she sealed the victory 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals in Rome.
It was a test for Raducanu ahead of the French Open as she had to overcome Guaff, who is coming off a strong run in Madrid. The American star took early control and didn’t let slip even a single set. Her powerful forehand, aggressive returns, and all-around athleticism were on display as she left the 22-year-old with few opportunities to dictate points.
Don’t mess with Coco and clay 🧱@CocoGauff is through to the quarterfinals in Rome for the third time in her career after defeating Raducanu 6-1, 6-2.#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/OnN6tSEiBI
— wta (@WTA) May 12, 2025
In the post-match presentation, Gauff said, “Emma is always tough to play. My forehand was a big weapon today and set up a lot of chances for me.” While the scoreline may seem one-sided, Raducanu did manage to engage in competitive rallies. However, Gauff’s speed and depth consistently forced errors, making it tough for the Brit to find a rhythm.
Progress made despite defeat
For Raducanu, the loss doesn’t tell the full story. Reaching the last 16 in Rome marked the first time she had won three consecutive matches on clay, a surface she openly admits still feels unfamiliar. Growing up in Britain, clay wasn’t part of her regular training grounds, and she has only played 21 matches on the red dirt in her pro career.
Wins over Maya Joint, Jil Teichmann, and Veronika Kudermetova showed a player gradually adapting to the demands of the surface. Her movement, decision-making, and shot selection have all shown improvement, suggesting a solid foundation heading into Roland Garros later this month.
“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself each day,” Raducanu said after the match. “It was tough today, but there are a lot of positives I can take with me.”
New changes making a difference
Raducanu’s calmer presence on court in recent weeks can be attributed to a coaching setup that includes Mark Petchey and Jane O’Donoghue. Though neither appears to be a long-term option, the current dynamic seems to be working. Raducanu has won eight of her last eleven matches under their watch, looking more confident and composed during tournaments.
Their guidance has not only helped her rediscover some of her US Open-winning form but also allowed her to enjoy tennis again, something that’s been missing during her turbulent stretch over the past couple of seasons.
British No. 1 race heating up
While Raducanu missed the opportunity to reclaim the British number one spot, she remains firmly in the mix. A win against Gauff would have lifted her into the WTA top 40, ahead of current leader Katie Boulter, who exited Rome in the first round.
However, the 22-year-old is not alone in the chase as Sonay Kartal’s rapid rise sees her within striking distancemaking it a three-way contest heading into the summer stretch. Raducanu will now turn her complete attention to the French Open and will aim to build on the momentum she has gained here in Rome and strive for clay-court evolution. With signs of growth and stability returning, the road ahead looks more promising than it has in a long while.
Emma Raducanu’s Italian Open run ends in last 16 after loss to Coco Gauff, but her clay-court progress offers promise ahead of the French Open 2025. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
