Wicked
£9.99Emma Raducanu’s Italian Open journey concluded at the last 16 stage as Coco Gauff, the world number three, demonstrated her superior skill on the court. The British number two, Raducanu, ranked 49th worldwide, suffered a 6-1 6-2 defeat to the American player on the clay courts of Rome, ending her impressive run of three consecutive victories on clay.
Even though Raducanu showed promise by reaching the fourth round in Rome, it was evident that Gauff was a formidable opponent who dominated the match. Gauff, a former finalist at the French Open, showcased her prowess in returning shots and delivering powerful serves, ultimately outclassing Raducanu on the clay courts.
The encounter highlighted Raducanu’s limited experience on clay surfaces, with only 21 career clay-court matches compared to 81 on hard courts and 20 on grass. Despite the challenging loss to Gauff, Raducanu remains optimistic heading into the French Open later in May, buoyed by her recent success under the guidance of coach Mark Petchey.
Raducanu’s journey to the top 50 in the world rankings has been a testament to her resilience and dedication to the sport, with a potential rise into the top 40 if she had secured a victory against Gauff. As the battle for the British number one ranking continues between Raducanu, Katie Boulter, and Sonay Kartal, the future looks promising for British women’s tennis
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