Italian Open: Emma Raducanu beats Veronika Kudermetova to meet with Coco Gauff

Raducanu said Friday that she was still “finding her feet” on the clay, but her movements, especially sliding behind the baseline, improved as the game progressed.

She often talks with Mark Petchey and Jane O'Donoghue in her coaching box. Petchey provided encouragement throughout the game.

She and Kudermetova exchanged early breaks before Sterling of Raducanu returned to the championship before she allowed her to serve 5-4.

However, the British's first serve percentage dropped, and she returned the double fault before Kudermetova won three straight games to get the first set.

But Russia collapsed from there.

Unfortunately, in her first service game, Kudermetova lost a 40-15 lead, suffered a 40-15 lead, and her forehand lost all timing in particular.

Raducanu moved better, sliding in and out of corners and rushing into five straight games before Kudermetova had a medical timeout.

The British were smart during that timeout, staying on the court and playing instead of sitting down and risking the pace.

When Kudermetova returns, Raducanu picks up where she leaves, seizing the third chance through another Kudermetova's mistake.