*Raducanu 2-5 Gauff (1-6)

The writing is on the wall now. A double break for Coco.

Two forehand errors from Raducanu and now she is under pressure, 15-40 down.

A stunning forehand down the line saves one and she is given the perfect chance to save another with a backhand in the service box with the court open.

But excellent defensive play again from Gauff, she reads the crosscourt shot and jabs it down the line to pass Emma at the net.

Raducanu 2-4 Gauff* (1-6)

A massive chance wasted by Raducanu.

Superb play to engineer a break point, but she then pulls a backhand wide after another long rally.

We go to deuce but two errors from Raducanu see the opportunity go.

Again, it feels like the consistency across the board from Gauff is grinding her down.

*Raducanu 2-3 Gauff (1-6)

What a rally! A stunning baseline exchange, forehand cross before Raducanu changes and we are then backhand to backhand.

Gauff's movement when defending and topspin shots into the corners give her have the upper hand. Raducanu again blinks first in the lengthy rally, going for a dropshot that falls into the net.

It is then a poor mistake off the backhand followed up by outstanding court coverage when on the run from Gauff, making her opponent play one extra ball and it leads to an approach slice going wide.

Gauff is now a set and a break to the good.

Raducanu 2-2 Gauff* (1-6)

A big fist pump from Emma as big forehand wins her the first point. It's then a mistake from Coco and suddenly there is belief.

But the 21-year-old does not crumble under pressure and delivers a couple of big serves with a bit of kick on them to cause extra trouble on the clay court to dig herself out of bother.

*Raducanu 2-1 Gauff (1-6)

Even luck has gone the American's way, she reaches up for a volley but completely misses the ball. But it drops just long.

Gauff with a wry smile but it is Raducanu who has the last laugh.

Some superb ball striking into the corners from her and an unforced error along the way helps her go 2-1 up.

Raducanu 1-1 Gauff* (1-6)

Spectacular stuff from Gauff as she holds to love.

Two huge serves to Emma's backhand that she cannot deal with, simply too good.

*Raducanu 1-0 Gauff (1-6)

Big hold from Raducanu to get on the board in the second set.

Comfortable as she dictates from her first ground-stroke.

Raducanu 1-6 Gauff*

First set goes to the 2023 US Open champion in 39 minutes.

The backhand has been strong as usual and the forehand is looking more composed today.

75 per cent of first serve points won, compared to 47 per cent for Emma is the story of the set.

There are reasons for Raducanu to be positive though, four set points saved in that game.

She was down 40-0 and then throws caution to one side and powers her rival off the court with some speedy forehands, ripping back a weak Gauff second serve. Huge smiles from Emma's coach Mark Petchey. But it's not enough against her opponent's class.

*Raducanu 1-5 Gauff

Gauff breaks again and the first set is surely heading her way.

Her relentlessness nature is grinding down Raducanu and forcing mistakes.

Despite the Brit's solid efforts, Gauff is proving a class above on this surface.

She is not making mistakes, staying patient and she is winning most rally exchanges.

Raducanu 1-4 Gauff*

Really strong start from Gauff, showing all the reasons why she looks so comfortable on clay.

Great depth, good movement and the kick serve is working well. Despite a double wind in that game as heavy winds blow in Rome.

Raducanu is playing well and putting up a fight but is yet to seriously panic Gauff on her serve.

*Raducanu 1-3 Gauff

Two big serves from Emma sees her go 30-0 up. She is control but an error and then great depth from Gauff gets her three points in a row and a chance to break.

It is well saved and it ends in three deuces.

Eventually, Raducanu gets over the line after constructing both points well and attacking straight after the serve.

Raducanu 0-3 Gauff*

Fantastic ball striking from both and it was patient play from Raducanu as she waited for the short ball, capitalising with a huge forehand winner.

She then fires back a great return right at Gauff's feet to give herself a break point.

But strong defence, an ace and a wild return off the serve sees Gauff get out of trouble from 30-40 down.

*Raducanu 0-2 Gauff

Gauff gets an early break.

Raducanu has been unable to get on the front-foot early and tremendous depth from her opponent forces her into two poor mistakes during that game.

Raducanu 0-1 Gauff*

We are underway on the Grand Stand Arena in Rome.

With Raducanu's attacking style and Gauff's shaky forehand on the clay this week, it is no surprise to see Emma target it early.

But Coco holds serve with the help of an ace at 30-30.

Head-to-head

Raducanu has faced Gauff just once in her career - back in the 2023 Australian Open second round.

Gauff won in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 that day, though Raducanu came in with an injury problem.

Form

Raducanu is enjoying her tennis at the moment and has come through three matches to get to this stage with wins over Maya Joint, Jill Teichmann and Veronika Kudermetova in Rome.

It comes after a strong run to Miami Open quarter-final. Yet her previous tournament on clay in Madrid last week saw her get a tough draw and lose to Marta Kostyuk.

As for Gauff, she is still waiting for her first title this year.

The world No3 has not had the best year by her high standards but was runner-up in the Spanish capital last Sunday.