American tennis star Coco Gauff delivered a masterclass performance to end Emma Raducanu's promising Italian Open run with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory in their last-16 clash in Rome.
The world number three proved too strong for Britain's Raducanu, who had been enjoying an encouraging tournament on the clay courts of the Italian capital.
Speaking after her victory, Gauff was pleased with her performance in challenging conditions and admitted her forehand led her to victory over Raducanu.
"It was definitely an A [performance] in difficult conditions. Emma is a tough opponent no matter what surface, she's tough to play, so I am really happy with my game," said the American.
Coco Gauff admitted her forehand led her to victory over Emma Raducanu
Sky Sports
"My game is getting better every match. Madrid was a step in the right direction. I lost in the final, I don't like losing, especially in the final, so I am hoping to redeem myself here.
"My forehand was a big weapon today, it set me up for a lot of short balls and good points."
Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, needed just 79 minutes to dispatch the British number two in what was a ruthless display of clay court tennis.
Raducanu had been enjoying a breakthrough moment on clay, winning three consecutive matches on the surface for the first time in her career to reach the fourth round.
The British number two, currently ranked 49th in the world, had shown promising form in the Italian capital.
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However, any hopes of causing an upset against the 21-year-old American quickly evaporated.
Gauff, who reached the French Open final three years ago, demonstrated why she is considered a formidable force on the red dirt.
Despite beginning with a double fault, Gauff kept further mistakes to a minimum as she quickly broke Raducanu's serve.
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Coco Gauff had plenty of respect for Emma Raducanu after her win
Reuters
The British player struggled in the early wind conditions and was no match for the American's clay court prowess.
Gauff's forehand proved particularly devastating, setting her up for numerous short balls and winning points.
Raducanu managed to get on the scoreboard at 3-1 in the first set, but could only offer momentary resistance with a sublime cross-court forehand that briefly unsettled the frontrunner.
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Emma Raducanu could not keep up with Coco Gauff's superior physicality
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The victory sees Gauff advance to the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 event, where she will face either Russian seventh seed Mirra Andreeva or Denmark's Clara Tauson.
For Raducanu, this defeat ends her bid to reach a second WTA 1000 quarter-final of 2025, having previously made the last eight in Miami in March.
Like Raducanu in 2021, Gauff's sole Grand Slam victory came at the US Open, with the American triumphing at Flushing Meadows in 2023, two years after the Brit's famous victory.
