In the electric atmosphere of Rome’s Foro Italico, Emma Raducanu is scripting a comeback story that has the tennis world buzzing. The 22-year-old Brit, whose 2021 US Open victory marked her as a generational talent, has battled injuries and inconsistency since her breakout triumph. But at the 2025 Italian Open, she’s rediscovering her spark, culminating in a stunning third-round victory over Veronika Kudermetova that sets up a mouthwatering fourth-round clash with Coco Gauff. Raducanu’s journey through Rome’s red clay is not just a test of skill but a testament to her evolving resilience and tactical growth.
Raducanu’s path to the fourth round began with a gritty first-round win over Australian teenager Maya Joint, a three-set battle that signaled her intent. She followed with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 rout of lucky loser Jil Teichmann, showcasing newfound comfort on clay—a surface where she’s often struggled. Her third-round match against Kudermetova, a former world No. 9, was a rollercoaster. Raducanu served for the first set at 5-4 but faltered under pressure, dropping it 5-7. “I threw in a pretty poor game at 5-4 serving, but I felt under pressure on Veronika’s returns—she was literally red-lining everything, and it was all going in,” she admitted, capturing the intensity of the moment. “I was like, ‘I don’t know where to serve,’ and it’s not a nice feeling to have.”
What followed was nothing short of spectacular. Raducanu regrouped, unleashing a barrage of winners to claim the second set 6-0 and the third 6-1, winning 12 of the final 13 games in a two-and-a-half-hour epic. Her ability to recover was the highlight: “The most pleasing part of today was recovering after losing the first set having served for it,” she told reporters. “I’m so happy with how I didn’t let the rest of the match get away with me. I think that’s a big progress compared to maybe the matches I played in the past.” A controversial moment arose when Kudermetova took a medical timeout at 5-0 in the second set, which Raducanu called a deliberate attempt to disrupt her rhythm. “I kind of knew it was to try and throw me off, but I kept my cool,” she said, her composure evident as she powered through.
This victory marks a milestone: Raducanu’s first time winning three consecutive clay-court matches, propelling her to No. 42 in the live rankings. A win over Gauff could see her overtake Katie Boulter as British No. 1. Her resurgence owes much to coach Mark Petchey, whose technical tweaks—like enhancing her serve’s shoulder turn—and emphasis on a relaxed mindset have unlocked consistency. Off court, Raducanu’s playful side shines, from football warm-ups inspired by Lionel Messi to exploring Rome’s Spanish Steps. “I’ve improved a lot,” she laughed, recounting her newfound left-footed prowess. “I’m actually beating the people in my team now.”
Now, Raducanu faces Gauff, the world No. 3 and a clay-court titan who reached the Madrid Open final earlier this month. Gauff advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Magda Linette, her steady baseline game a stark contrast to Raducanu’s flair. Their only prior meeting, at the 2023 Australian Open, saw Gauff prevail 6-3, 7-6(4), though Raducanu was hobbled by an ankle injury. “She’s a great competitor,” Raducanu said of Gauff. “I’m playing pretty good tennis right now, and she is going to be a great test. She’s made the French Open final, so she’s great on this surface.” Her excitement was tempered with humor when she learned of the matchup live on air: “I hadn’t looked at the draw. Are you sure I’m playing Coco?” she quipped, laughing.
Raducanu’s versatility—mixing high-spinning forehands, sliced backhands, and aggressive returns—has been key in Rome. “I’m happy with the variety that I have on my shots,” she noted, crediting her ability to return from different positions. Yet, she acknowledged room for improvement: “I still think I can be better out of the corners and moving.” As she prepares for Gauff, the stakes are high. A victory could redefine her clay-court credentials and signal a return to the elite, with the French Open looming. Rome’s passionate crowds, the scent of espresso in the air, and the weight of history make this a defining moment. Raducanu, unburdened and unrelenting, is ready to seize it.
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