Raducanu's Rome run ended by classy Gauff

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 showed 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 told Sky Sports afterwards.

"My level is getting better every match and [reaching the] Madrid [final] was a step in the right direction.

"Today I think my forehand was a big weapon, set me up for a lot of short balls and a lot of good points."

Clay is a surface which does not come naturally to Raducanu.

Like most British players, the 22-year-old Briton had less exposure to the red dirt in her formative years and lacks experience on these courts as a professional.

Raducanu's meeting against Gauff was only the 21st clay-court match of her career - compared to 81 on hard courts and 20 on the grass.

Therefore, it is no surprise she is still - by her own accord - finding her feet on the surface.

Beating Australian teenager Maya Joint, Switzerland's Jil Teichman and Russia's Veronika Kudermetova to reach the Rome last 16 represented solid progress.

Facing Gauff was a different proposition.

While Raducanu's movement has improved on the clay, it was not enough to hang tough consistently with Gauff in the rallies.

Gauff's weight of shot proved difficult to cope with and, although Raducanu did regularly manage to get herself into the points, the American's superior athleticism meant it was difficult for the Briton to dictate them.

Nevertheless, Raducanu will head to the French Open in a positive frame of mind.