Coco Gauff cruises past Emma Raducanu to reach Italian Open quarter-final

Coco Gauff was simply too good for Emma Raducanu in the last 16 of the Italian Open on Monday, securing a dominant win over the British star.

The American world No.3 headed into the clash as a strong favourite and came out on top 6-1 6-2 to book her spot in the quarter-finals out in Rome.

Gauff secured an early break and held twice to lead 3-0 against world No.49 Raducanu in a battle between two former US Open champions.

Raducanu saved a break point to avoid losing four games in a row but Gauff – far more comfortable on the clay surface – remained in firm control.

Gauff registered her second break of the match to take the first set 6-1, leaving Raducanu with a mountain to climb against her higher-ranked foe.

Raducanu did show glimpses of her highest level in the opener – saving a number of set points and conjuring up two of her own break point opportunities – but she ultimately wasn’t able to convert either of them.

Gauff showed no signs of losing momentum early in the second set, with a comfortable hold-to-love in game two to edge towards victory in Rome.

Both players continued to trade service games, though, until Gauff broke in game five when Raducanu fired a forehand shot into the tramlines.

Raducanu kept fighting and had a chance to break Gauff straight back in game six but again couldn’t convert as her opponent held to lead 4-2.

It proved to be a decisive moment in the match as Gauff sealed a double break to lead 5-2 and then served it out to book her spot in the last eight.

Speaking after the match, Gauff told Sky Sports: ‘It was tough conditions, super windy, and this court is super dry compared to the other ones.

‘I played a match on here yesterday so I knew what to expect.

‘Emma is a tough opponent no matter what surface. She is tough to play against, so I am really happy with how I played.’

Former British No.1 Tim Henman, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, added: ‘When you reflect on the scoreline it looks very straightforward but there were a couple of really long games.

‘On each occasion, Gauff found a way to come through. When you’re winning those big points, those long points, especially on clay, it’s going to give you a very good foundation to dominate the match.’