Emma Raducanu secured a thrilling comeback win to set up a highly anticipated clash with Coco Gauff in the fourth round of the Italian Open. In a match that saw the British star fight back from a set down, Raducanu triumphed 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 against Veronika Kudermetova, demonstrating resilience and a keen ability to adapt her game under pressure.
The opening set was a tense battle, with Kudermetova seizing an early 3-1 lead after breaking Raducanu’s serve. Despite a solid effort from Raducanu, who managed to regain her composure and fight for a chance to serve for the set, it slipped away. At the changeover, Raducanu found herself a set down, one step away from defeat. However, rather than succumbing to frustration, Raducanu reset and approached the next two sets with renewed focus and energy.
The second and third sets saw Raducanu’s game reach new heights. She expertly varied the spin and trajectory of her shots, often switching from aggressive baseline play to more subtle moments of creativity, attacking at just the right times. This mix of strategic play allowed her to win 12 of the next 13 games, easily overcoming Kudermetova’s resistance.
Raducanu’s performance marked her third consecutive win on clay, a surface on which she has been finding her footing over the past year. This result signals growing confidence on the surface and a clearer sense of her playing identity. She spoke candidly about her evolution as a player, recalling her early years when she was “just hacking” on the court, before later being encouraged to adopt a more aggressive approach. Now, she feels she is exploring her creativity more, expanding her toolkit to become a more versatile player.
Raducanu will now face Gauff, the fourth seed, in a highly anticipated match on Monday. Gauff, known for her consistent play, is a formidable opponent, and Raducanu will need to maintain her newfound sense of freedom and creativity to compete at the highest level.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper also progressed to the fourth round of the men’s draw with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva. However, it wasn’t an easy win for Draper, who struggled with his intensity throughout the match. His forehand let him down at times, and frustrations boiled over when he smashed his racket during the second set. Despite the frustrations, Draper’s powerful serve and solid defensive skills were enough to see him through to the next round.
The 23-year-old British No 1 admitted his struggles on court, noting that he didn’t feel like himself during the match. “I wasn’t there every point,” he said, reflecting on his performance. “Sometimes I feel I need to let out some frustration. Today, I wasn’t in the best frame of mind, but I was still able to get the win.” Draper has been in a challenging schedule, following his recent run in Madrid, but he remains determined to push through and perform in Rome.
Draper will face Corentin Moutet in the fourth round on Tuesday, after the Frenchman secured a dramatic 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (4) victory over Holger Rune. Draper’s resilience and ability to remain competitive under pressure will be key as he faces Moutet in what promises to be another tough encounter.
Both Raducanu and Draper continue to show promise in their respective tournaments, each finding different ways to navigate challenges and advancing to the next stage in Rome. Their growing confidence and ability to adapt to tough situations will be crucial as they aim for deep runs in the Italian Open.
