Emma Raducanu reacted with shock after being informed she would play Coco Gauff in the Italian Open last-16 as she asked a reporter: “Are you sure I’m playing Coco?” Raducanu continued her positive run in Rome as she defeat Veronika Kudermetova in three sets to move into the next round.
The British star has already defeated Maya Joint and Jil Teichmann previously to reach this stage as she enjoys some improved form on the court and that continued with a 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 win over Kudermetova.
The 2021 US Open champion now faces a daunting task against Gauff, who also won the US major in 2023. Following her victory over Kudermetova, Raducanu was asked about the prospect of playing the American, but was surprised after being told about her opponent.
“I haven’t looked at the draw to be honest but she’s a great competitor,” Raducanu said on the court after her win. “Are you sure I’m playing Coco?”
The report then said: “Positive, I even double checked it. 100 percent.” Raducanu then replied: “OK, OK. I think I’m playing pretty good tennis right now and she is going to be a great test.
“I mean she’s made the final of the French Open so she’s great on this surface. I’m just going to keep focussed but savour this one for now.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Raducanu as she lost the first set against Kudermetova 7-5, before roaring back to win the next two comfortably. The 22-year-old said she had to ensure the match “didn’t get away from her”, adding that was a factor in her poor form from earlier in the year.
“The best thing for me was recovering from the first set after serving for it,” she said. “I’m so happy that I didn’t let the rest of the match get away from me – I think that’s big progress maybe compared to the matches I’ve played in the past.”
Raducanu is currently the No 2 ranked British player behind Katie Boulter, but would leapfrog her rival into first positon should she secure two more wins.
She has not been British No 1 for two years since Boulter took the spot from her back in June 2023. Raducanu is currently ranked as the 49th best player in the world, while upcoming opponent Gauff is No 3.
Raducanu was also asked how she’s been spending her downtime in the Italian capital between matches – and admitted she has been channelling her inner Lionel Messi.
She said: ‘I’ve been playing football. I’ve improved a lot, I’m actually beating the people in my team now. It’s really fun. I’ve discovered I’m left footed, which I take great pride in.” When suggested that was similar to a certain Argentine hero, she replied: “Exactly, just like Messi!”
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.