Emma Raducanu’s encouraging Italian Open run came to an end in the last 16 as world number three Coco Gauff proved too much of a step up in class.
Raducanu, ranked 49th in the world, lost 6-1 6-2 on the Rome clay to American Gauff.
For the first time in her career, the British number two had won three clay-court matches in a row to reach the fourth round in the Italian capital.
But any hopes she could cause a shock against 21-year-old Gauff were soon extinguished.
Like Raducanu in 2021, Gauff’s sole major victory so far came on the hard courts of the US Open two years ago but on Monday she emphasised why she is also a force on the red dirt.
Gauff, who reached the French Open final three years ago, returned superbly from the start and also dug deep in service games when required.
“Emma is a tough opponent no matter what surface and always tough to play – so I’m happy with how I played,” Gauff, a finalist on the Madrid clay last week.”
