Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter

There is another prize at stake for Raducanu today - if she can turn this match around.

With a comeback victory over Gauff, she would be guaranteed to reclaim the British number one ranking from Katie Boulter after the Italian Open.

Raducanu is currently 49th in the WTA standings, but another win today will push her into the top 40 - and above Boulter.

Boulter, who took over as the nation's leading women's player in July 2023, recently told BBC Sport that she doesn't "feel any pressure" with Raducanu and Sonay Kartal closing in.

"For me I just need to try and stay healthy. That's that most important thing and then the ranking will take care of itself," said Boulter, who lost in the Rome first round.

Coco Gauff shows supreme control on the backhand up the line before Emma Raducanu shanks a forehand return to hand the American the first set.

Sensational stuff from Emma Raducanu as she saves three set points to take us to deuce! She isn't lying down.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter

Gauff has been very impressive so far.

The world number three has been excellent from the baseline and that forehand - which we mentioned at the start - has been as solid as a rock.

We've also seen the 21-year-old American show her deft hand skills now and again, with a couple of soft-as-silk drop-shots when Raducanu was stranded at the baseline.

Coco Gauff breaks serve for the second time today and the opening set is in reach.

That dropshot was something special, but Raducanu didn't help herself with a double fault and a wayward final shot.

That said, Gauff is making quite a few errors. Raducanu needs to exploit that.

Coco Gauff produces an incredible backhand drop-shot that leaves Raducanu helpless. Audacious stuff.

No problem though, as Gauff smashes home at the net to re-establish a three game lead in the first set.

That's a second double fault of the afternoon for Gauff, meaning it's now 40-30.

Gauff returns Raducanu's serve into the net and the latter is on the board!

An unforced error from Gauff hands advantage to Raducanu, but the Brit makes a mistake herself and we're back to deuce.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter

The scoreline is well against Raducanu at the moment - and that's been down to Gauff's durability from the baseline.

The world number three has been very solid so far, with consistent striking off both wings.

Raducanu hasn't played *that* bad, but she's just not at the same level as Gauff currently.

Raducanu isn't doing much wrong but Gauff is playing brilliantly. A long rally ends with the American beating the Brit with an unstoppable sweeping forehand.

The next two points are shared and we go to deuce.

Gauff takes the game and we stick with serve.

Raducanu does well to reach a drop shot but Gauff sweeps past her to take the game to deuce.

Raducanu lands a sweeping forehand to take a 30-15 lead in the third game. Great shot!

Coco Gauff breaks serve in the second game.

Raducanu hits the net, goes long with a forehand from deep and can't pull the game back. Not a great start for the Brit.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter

In short, Raducanu needs to play very, very well.

The deeper insight is she needs to continue playing aggressively from the baseline and try to force the Gauff forehand into breaking down - like it has done in the past.

But if Gauff's defence is on point, it will be interesting to see if Raducanu can show the resilience needed to stick in the longer, more physical points on outdoor clay.

It's going to be an intriguing battle, for sure.

Gauff recovers from that double fault with an ace as she wins the opening game. Raducanu to serve.

Coco Gauff gets us underway... with a double fault!

Image source, Getty Images

World number three Coco Gauff came into the Italian Open off the back of defeat in the final of the Madrid Open, and things didn't start too well.

She dropped the first set against 156th-ranked Victoria Mboko, but fought back to win 3-6 6-2 6-1.

The American then defeated Poland's Magda Linette 7-5 6-3, despite making six double faults.