Jack Draper overcame a battling performance from qualifier Vit Kopriva to advance at the Italian Open in Rome after Emma Raducanu impressed to continue her own winning run.
Draper was frustrated by the unheralded Czech, who showed serious defensive skill to stay in the fight despite a comparative lack of firepower on serve and with his strokeplay. The British No 1 played aggressively and held serve through, breaking thrice to take a 6-4, 6-3 win, though his victory was not without incident as the left-hander first slammed and then hurled his racquet midway through the second set after passing up a number of break points. Corentin Moutet will be next for Draper as he targets more clay-court success.
Earlier, Raducanu made her way safely through to the fourth round after coming from behind to defeat Veronika Kudermetova and set up a clash with Coco Gauff. Raducanu lost the first set 7-5, but broke Kudermetova in the opening game of the second set and only lost one game from there as she earned a huge 5-7 6-0 6-1 victory.
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Italian Open LIVE
- Jack Draper is through despite smashing his racquet mid-match at the Italian Open
- Draper overcame a gutsy Vit Kopriva to set up a meeting with Corentin Moutet
- Emma Raducanu also progresses on good day for the British pair
- Raducanu lost first set to Veronika Kudermetova but battled back to set up meeting with Coco Gauff
Jack Draper advances in Rome despite smashing racquet as ‘frustration boiled out’
20:58 , Flo CliffordJack Draper admitted his frustration had boiled over after he smashed a racquet en route to beating Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in straight sets at the Italian Open.
The British No 1 was a set and a break up but had passed up the chance to break Kopriva again to make it 4-2 when he angrily struck his racquet a number of times on the clay court.
Draper, whose 6-4 6-3 victory saw him advance to the last 16 in Rome, told Sky Sports: “It was a tough match, definitely, against a guy who is a bit unknown, but he’s won a lot of matches here. He’s feeling good.”
Jack Draper advances in Rome despite smashing racquet as ‘frustration boiled out’
Jack Draper speaks to Sky Sports after securing victory
16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle“It was a tough match against a guy who is a bit unknown, but he’s won a lot matches here. I knew coming in that it was another chance to put my game out on the court. I felt a little bit low on energy and my feet weren’t working as I wanted them to, but I tried to fight hard and find a way. The frustration boiled out a little too much in the end but I stayed in it.
“We don’t always wake up out of bed feeling great. I get out of bed feeling so angry some days and I’ve got to play a tennis match, I’ve got to lose points and go through those emotional ups and downs. I’ve played a lot of tennis and I’m getting used to that. It’s taken some getting used to for me from a mental and physical side.
“I obviously had a good run last week, and the more I’m playing, the more I am feeling comfortable and trusting my movement on the surface. I try to come out here and play my brand of tennis.”
Jack Draper secures his spot in the final 16 🔒
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) May 11, 2025
He takes another straight sets win, this time over Vit Kopriva 👏 pic.twitter.com/9Z7Fi872Fq
Jack Draper through at Italian Open
16:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleHe didn’t have it all his own way, but safely through goes Jack Draper. An impressive performance from Vit Kopriva, who will rue that simple missed backhand at 15-40 looking to break back in the second set, but he just didn’t quite have enough to really imperil the British No 1.
Jack Draper 6-4, 6-3 Vit Kopriva
16:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleJack Draper catches a fleck of white with his return, leaving Vit Kopriva off balance as he flaps a backhand into the net. One match point...slapped long by the Brit.
A double fault and delicious, devastating forehand return set up another shot at victory - but Draper is scuppered by his own temper tantrum, a bad bounce off the spot where he slammed his frame down earlier. Draper stares down perplexed, but he’s only got himself to blame. Actions have consquences.
No matter - the win is achieved at the next opportunity as Draper prevails in a real fight.
Jack Draper 6-4, 5-3 Vit Kopriva*
16:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleA much less turbulent service game for Jack Draper, as yet unbroken on the day - just as he was in his opening match in Rome. Hold again and victory will be his, though he may fancy sealing it before he has balls-in-hand.
Jack Draper* 6-4, 4-3 Vit Kopriva
16:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleVit Kopriva races through a hold to love. This has been a really gutsy showing from a player barely inside the world’s top 100 and yet to make the second round at a grand slam.
Jack Draper 6-4, 4-2 Vit Kopriva*
16:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleEnergy behind the Czech, a poor decision and poorer shot from Jack Draper as his attempt to defeat his opponent with a drop shot instead sets up a simple winner. A double fault reflects a further mental fraying.
Three break points! This is a proper meltdown from the British No 1. A loose backhand on the approach from Vit Kopriva prevents him from taking advantage, and a crisp serve gets him back to deuce.
And Draper steadies the ship. A tempestuous little period but he escapes just about unscathed.
Jack Draper* 6-4, 3-2 Vit Kopriva
16:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleA rueful slap of the strings from Jack Draper as he gets over-ambitious with a backhand cross-court. That’s nice, though, an improvised overhead as the leftie lets it fall to head height before bringing it down with an immaculate controlled teardrop volley.
He’s feeling it now. On the defensive, a vicious forehand wrong-foots Vit Kopriva. The Czech stays with him, though, his fighting spirit on show again. Back to deuce.
Another couple of break points come and go before Kopriva gets to a hold. He’s on the ropes but not yet on the canvas - and Draper is furious! The British No 1 slams his racket into the clay before hurling it as he returns to his seat. Can Kopriva capitalise?
Jack Draper 6-4, 3-1 Vit Kopriva*
16:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleSharp reactions from Jack Draper, parrying like a fencer at the net as Vit Kopriva tries to spear one through him. A block backhand winner helps him add another to his tally, secured with a thunderclap of an ace. Kopriva is looking more and more frustrated, the Czech not playing badly at all but just unable to match the firepower on the other side of the court.
Jack Draper* 6-4, 2-1 Vit Kopriva
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleVit Kopriva needed that. A couple of Draper errors help him to a hold.
Meanwhile, elsewhere at the Italian Open, Corentin Moutet has come through an epic against Holger Rune, taking the final set tie-break 7-4 after almost four hours on court. The enigmatic Frenchman will face the winner of Draper-Kopriva next.
Alexander Zverev is also through in straight sets.
Jack Draper 6-4, 2-0 Vit Kopriva*
15:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd after all that effort to win the opening game, it takes Jack Draper just four points to win the second, a scintillating forehand sealing it and getting the Roman crowd cooing.
Jack Draper* 6-4, 1-0 Vit Kopriva
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat work from Vit Kopriva, a rare rally that extends beyond 10 strokes requiring all sorts of guts and grits. The error comes on shot 27 - and it’s from Draper, as the Czech battles on in this long first game of the second set.
But the reprieve is temporary: Draper pounces after a double fault to break immediately.
Jack Draper 6-4, 0-0 (40-40) Vit Kopriva
15:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the second set in Rome, then, and a soft concession of a point from Vit Kopriva, hurrying a serve and hacking into the net to double fault. That’s superb from Jack Draper, though, finding a glorious passing shot as he skids across the clay with Kopriva on the approach.
A break point. And a poor miss from the leftie, curling a forehand long with space to find across court.
Kopriva hasn’t got his drop shots right today. Another overhit attempt allows Draper to stay in the game. The world No 5 lets another break point slip.
Emma Raducanu scolds opponent for tying to ‘throw me off’ with medical timeout
15:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleEarlier, meanwhile, Emma Raducanu overcame a shaky first set to produce an impressive comeback and sweep aside Veronika Kudermetova - before finding time to chide her opponent for a spot of gamesmanship during the win.
Emma Raducanu scolds opponent for tying to ‘throw me off’ with medical timeout
Jack Draper 6-4 Vit Kopriva
15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle15 unforced forehand errors from Jack Draper in that set - evidence both of the fact that he hasn’t yet found his range and just how much he is going for out on court. One wouldn’t imagine that his approach will change, and if he can land just a couple more punches, the knockout blow may come pretty quickly.
Jack Draper 6-4 Vit Kopriva
15:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleA strange serve from Jack Draper as he double faults, a slightly clunky motion as he finds the net. That’s wide, too - a pushed forehand out, an unforced error giving Vit Kopriva a chance to break back.
But Kopriva answers with an error of his own! A grunt of frustration having returned Draper’s serve superbly. And the British No 1 doesn’t give him another sniff - a few hiccups in there but the first set is his in 40 minutes.
Jack Draper* 5-4 Vit Kopriva
15:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleBetter from Vit Kopriva, withstanding a few Jack Draper howitzers on his way to a hold. Draper isn’t holding back at all, swinging at pretty much everything.
Jack Draper 5-3 Vit Kopriva*
15:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleA brief glimpse of a chance for Vit Kopriva at 30-30, but Jack Draper soon slams the door in his face to build on his break.
Jack Draper* 4-3 Vit Kopriva
15:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleGood battling from Vit Kopriva, defending well and then trying something different. His drop shot is loopy, though, and Jack Draper comes forward with the elegance of a swan, lower half churning but upper body wonderfully upright as he gracefully drops in a backhand winner.
And again! Same shot, same result for Kopriva. Two break points...seized. Into the lead goes Draper.
Jack Draper 3-3 Vit Kopriva*
15:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe concern in these opening six games for Vit Kopriva will be that he just hasn’t looked likely to threaten Jack Draper’s serve. There’s just too much power from the leftie for Kopriva to stay in the point often enough.
Jack Draper* 2-3 Vit Kopriva
15:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe first signs of weakness on serve from the check are seized upon by Jack Draper, a couple of loopy second serves devoured by the Brit. But he’s not quite found his range yet, pushing a forehand long when ahead in the point to gift Kopriva a route back to 30-all.
That’s poor, though, from the server, dragging a simple shot in a rally wide. The first break point of the match...squandered, Draper plugging a groundstroke long having ran around it to try and slam a forehand down the line. Kopriva battles to a hold.
Jack Draper 2-2 Vit Kopriva*
15:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleDeft and delicate work at the net from Vit Kopriva, getting beneath a Jack Draper drop shot and then putting the point away with a sharp backhand. Draper doesn’t give him another chance - a booming 203km/h serve that Kopriva can’t even throw a return at. All on serve so far, and speedily so.
Jack Draper* 1-2 Vit Kopriva
15:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleA wonderful sliding forehand down the line proves a perfect parabola from Jack Draper at 40-0 down - but it’s the lone highlight of another good game from Vit Kopriva.
Jack Draper 1-1 Vit Kopriva*
14:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhew! More like it from Jack Draper, authoritative in his first service game, creating those devastating angles with his trademarking clean striking.
Jack Draper* 0-1 Vit Kopriva
14:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleA slightly sloppy start from Draper, a couple of clapped forehands not quite on the money from the left-hander. It’s a very pleasant day in Rome, the temperature in the low twenties.
A backhand into the net edges Vit Kopriva closer to a hold, and another errant groundstroke from his opponent gets him there.
Jack Draper vs Vit Kopriva LIVE
14:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, next on deck is Jack Draper seeking more clay-court success - the British No 1, and world No 5, has won the toss and will receive first against qualifier Vit Kopriva.
Kudermetova's timeout 'was to throw me off' - Raducanu
14:49 , Flo CliffordAsked about returning to serve after Kudermetova’s medical timeout, she says, “It was difficult, luckily I was 5-0 up when she took the timeout. I kind of knew it was to throw me off but I kept my cool, luckily I had a good cushion and served it out.
“From the third set I was really on it. It’s hard after serving for the first set, it doesn’t just slip your mind, you do refer back to it even if you’re going into the third set. I’m really happy with how I refocused.
“I’m happy with the variety that I have on my shots, I’m able to return from two different positions up and back, which is new. I’ve adopted the back more in the last two matches and it’s helped me get into the point. But I still think I can be better out of the corners and moving, sometimes I feel a bit caught out still.”
Coco Gauff up next for Emma Raducanu
14:48 , Flo CliffordAfter a bit of back and forth - Raducanu isn’t totally convinced she’s playing Coco Gauff next, but she is - she says: “She’s a great competitor. I’m playing pretty good tennis right now and she is going to be a great test, she’s made the French Open final so she’s great on this surface. I’m going to keep focused but savour this one for now.”
'Big progress' - Emma Raducanu
14:45 , Flo CliffordLet’s hear from the winner today as Raducanu chats to Gigi Salmon on Sky Sports.
“The best thing about today I think was recovering after the first set having served for it,” she says.
“I threw in a pretty poor game at 5-4 serving but I felt under pressure on Veronika’s returns, she was literally red-lining everything and it was all going in and I was like, I don’t know where to serve, and it’s not a nice feeling to have.
“I’m so happy with how I didn’t let the rest of the match get away with me, that’s big progress compared to matches I’ve played in the past.”
Emma Raducanu wins 5-7, 6-0, 6-1
14:39 , Flo CliffordFrom losing the first set 5-7 Raducanu regrouped and only lost one game over the next two sets, digging deep once more to advance to the fourth round in Rome, where she’ll play fourth seed Coco Gauff. The American only needed two sets to see off Polish 32nd seed Magda Linette earlier today.
Raducanu has a chat with Sky Sports and goes off, smiling, to sign autographs and takes selfies.
Quotes from the Brit coming up...
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 Veronika Kudermetova*
14:33 , Flo CliffordKudermetova saves the first with a tidy net approach shot, and Raducanu is a bit loose with her next ball for 30-40. But she looks on top of the next rally from the first shot and it’s another brilliant winner - a cross-court forehand, of course - to seal the match.
Raducanu is into the fourth round!
MATCH POINT! Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 5-1 Veronika Kudermetova*
14:29 , Flo CliffordRaducanu almost looks like she won’t below digging to reach a Kudermetova volley but thinks better of it and puts the 28-year-old off-centre with another lovely slice, following it up with a crosscourt forehand to put her two points from victory.
And Kudermetova gifts her a first match point as she fires wide again.
*Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 5-1 Veronika Kudermetova
14:26 , Flo CliffordInteresting. Raducanu goes long on her first service point and opts for a racquet change.
Her first serve is a bit ropey but Kudermetova is a complete loose cannon, unable to keep the ball in the court, and another fabulous cross-court forehand from Raducanu ties up a hold to 15.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 4-1 Veronika Kudermetova*
14:21 , Flo CliffordA venomous smash from Kudermetova shows she means business but from 30-0 up she lets Raducanu back in, the Brit hitting a pinpoint-accurate forehand winner than just drops into the corner.
And Raducanu gets another break point! Raducanu is helped by a net cord and at full stretch Kudermetova can’t get to the volley, sending it just wide of the tramline - and the Russian punts the next ball long to go a double break down!
*Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 3-1 Veronika Kudermetova
14:17 , Flo CliffordKudermetova is looking much more like the player that won the first set, playing aggressively and taking the fight to Raducanu, but the Brit is keeping her composure well.
She gets the better of her opponent in two rallies, hitting a perfectly controlled down-the-line winner from a particularly fierce Kudermetova return, and holds to 15 with a laser-focused cross-court forehand to seal the game.
Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 2-1 Veronika Kudermetova*
14:11 , Flo CliffordRaducanu doesn’t blink as Kudermetova drags her into a net exchange - and slams the ball back, which her opponent can only ping off her racquet and out of court. Gutsy stuff.
Kudermetova’s grunts have gone up a few decibels too. Fist pump from the 28-year-old as she moves up to the net again. She doesn’t get enough on the first smash but puts the second away.
She follows it up with an ace but a superb backhand return from Raducanu puts Kudermetova off-balance and she skews the ball long for 40-30. In the next rally she gets lucky with the net cord but she’ll take it - it’s a first game in nine and she’s on the board.
*Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 2-0 Veronika Kudermetova
14:06 , Flo CliffordKudermetova is cutting a frustrated figure now and there’s some real venom to her shots.
She gets unlucky with a net cord after Raducanu double faults and slams her next shot into the tape. The Russian is not enjoying herself as Raducanu backs up her break.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 5-7, 6-0, 1-0 Veronika Kudermetova*
14:04 , Flo CliffordRaducanu lets out a roar of frustration as a well-struck return narrowly misses the corner, but she bides her time in the next rally, dropping in a deft slice that Kudermetova can only send wide.
Break points Raducanu...
And an acutely-angled return kisses the line - she gets the break at the first time of asking! Seven games in a row for the Brit and an early lead in this decider.
DECIDING SET: Emma Raducanu 5-7 6-0 Veronika Kudermetova*
14:00 , Flo CliffordInto a decider we go. Has Kudermetova got anything left? Let’s find out.
The Russian serves first and has a bit more intensity to the first point, but goes 0-15 down with another unforced error.
Shouts and a fist pump from Raducanu, playing aggressively, as she forces her to net at the end of the next rally.
SECOND SET! *Emma Raducanu 5-7 6-0 Veronika Kudermetova
13:55 , Flo CliffordKudermetova thumps a couple of returns way wide, and Raducanu wraps up a love set.
She goes straight over to her box for a chat but isn’t allowed any insight as she is called back to her seat by the umpire.
*Emma Raducanu 5-7 5-0 Veronika Kudermetova
13:52 , Flo CliffordGood start for Raducanu as Kudermetova palms a strong first serve in to the net.
Kudermetova wins the next point and oddly, picks up the ball again to knock against the wall a bit. Trying to delay Raducanu’s next serve? It’s a strange move.
The Russian produces another couple of errors and looks pretty deflated. She just wants this set to be over.
It now looks like her lack of energy has infected Raducanu as she double faults and then sprays a shot long for deuce.
MEDICAL TIMEOUT: Emma Raducanu 5-7 5-0 Veronika Kudermetova
13:47 , Flo CliffordThis has been well over three minutes now. Sky Sports comms note that the medical timeout begins at the end of the on-court assessment period, but it wasn’t announced, so we don’t actually know when that was.
But the Russian is back on court and Raducanu is ready to serve.
MEDICAL TIMEOUT: Emma Raducanu 5-7 5-0 Veronika Kudermetova
13:42 , Flo CliffordWe’re having a three minute delay (at least) while Kudermetova receives treatment. Raducanu practices some serves while we wait.
Emma Raducanu 5-7 5-0 Veronika Kudermetova*
13:40 , Flo CliffordKudermetova is looking a shadow of the player that won the first set, producing a string of errors - including a wild forehand wide - to go 0-40 down on serve.
She’s given a reprieve with a lucky net cord, forcing Raducanu off balance and her shot into the net, to save the first. But the Russian goes long and Raducanu breaks again!
Now Kudermetova has the trainer on, pointing to her right hip/groin area, and she’s leaving the court for a medical timeout.
*Emma Raducanu 5-7 4-0 Veronika Kudermetova
13:35 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu steers a wonderful backhand winner down the line to get to game point. She will know how important it is to keep up this momentum.
But Raducanu then goes wide on the backhand from the tram-lines, and Kudermetova steps in to fire the winner on deuce to bring up break point.
Raducanu has to defend but moves well across the baseline, goes for the drop shot, and puts away the backhand winner down the line to save.
Steely stuff from Raducanu. Despite a wobbling serve, she wins the next two points as Kudermetova errs and she moves into a 4-0 lead.
Emma Raducanu 5-7 3-0 Veronika Kudermetova* - Raducanu breaks!
13:25 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu picks Kudermetova apart with a drop-shot-lob combination, steering the backhand over her opponent to get to 0-30.
Good aggression from Raducanu on the forehand and she will have two opportunities to claim the double-break after getting to 15-40.
Huge roar from Raducanu as Kudermetova nets and Raducanu secures the double-break!
*Emma Raducanu 5-7 2-0 Veronika Kudermetova
13:18 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu is grateful for the momentum shift and takes advantage as Kudermetova gives up a couple of free points with errors.
Kudermetova whacks a second-serve return long and Raducanu consolidates the break.
Emma Raducanu 5-7 1-0 Veronika Kudermetova* - Raducanu breaks!
13:13 , Jamie BraidwoodKudermetova looks perplexed by a strange bounce off the clay as she shovels a forehand wide, then pushes another long of the baseline.
Raducanu gets to deuce against serve, and then produces the drop-shot return! A little fortunate from Raducanu there, but the bounce beats Kudermetova.
Break point: Raducanu loops a deep return and then takes charge behind the forehand. Winner! She comes from 40-15 down to break and Kudermetova smashes a ball against the backboard in frustration.
GAME AND FIRST SET! *Emma Raducanu 5-7 Veronika Kudermetova
13:04 , Flo CliffordAgonising for Raducanu, who came back from 3-1 down in this set, served to win it at 5-4, but now goes a set down in Rome.
It’s a fierce rally from both players but Kudermetova looks to be on top and Raducanu shanks into the net to concede.
SET POINT - *Emma Raducanu 5-6 Veronika Kudermetova
13:03 , Flo CliffordSo from serving for the set at 5-4 to serving to stay in it at 5-6 down.
An absolutely lethal forehand return from Kudermetova just kisses the line - and she gets just enough spin on the ball to land a volley in the corner. Treading dangerously and her next shot is loose for 15-30, bit of a reprieve for Raducanu.
It seems at points Raducanu plays best with her back against the wall, and she proves it again with an aggressive rally, forcing Kudermetova to net.
But she can’t get anything on Kudermetova’s next return and launches it out of play. Set point Kudermetova...
Emma Raducanu 5-6 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:59 , Flo CliffordA down the line winner by Raducanu indicates she hasn’t lost heart after losing serve, but her body language is looking a little different, a little deflated as this game continues.
Kudermetova lets out a roar as she produces a first ace, before backing it up with a carbon copy down the T. She nets - but claws her way through a tricky end to this service game.
BREAK BACK! *Emma Raducanu 5-5 Veronika Kudermetova
12:54 , Flo CliffordIt feels like Raducanu can sense the finish line in this set and she gets a bit sloppy. Kudermetova puts some power behind a second serve return and goes 0-30 up for a third time.
The Russian nets to lessen the danger, but another poor error from Raducanu as she fires wide gives Kudermetova another two break points.
She hits just long to waste one - but then a double fault, only Raducanu’s second of the set, puts us back on serve.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 5-4 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:47 , Flo CliffordAfter that hugely tight game the tension has ratcheted up a notch, with shouts from both players as they secure points.
Mark Petchey gives some hand signals from his place in Raducanu’s box, gesticulating to move backwards.
Break points Raducanu! She moves 15-40 up on Kudermetova’s serve, landing an acutely-angled shot in the mid-court that the Russian doesn’t even bother to get to at the end of a long rally.
And she piles the pressure on Kudermetova’s second serve, moving up the court several steps, and is rewarded with a break.
*Emma Raducanu 4-4 Veronika Kudermetova
12:44 , Flo CliffordRaducanu gets through it! Four break points saved as Kudermetova sends a shot wide. Huge relief for the Brit and we’re still on serve, nearly 45 minutes into this one.
*Emma Raducanu 3-4 Veronika Kudermetova
12:42 , Flo CliffordInto a mammoth service game for Raducanu. Her serve isn’t firing so well as it was against Jil Teichmann and Kudermetova gets some joy with the second serve; she’s won six of eight points played on it so far.
But from 15-40 down Raducanu switches it on, blasting down two great first serves Kudermetova can only punch into the net before an ace. But she’s dragged back to deuce with a superb down the line winner... and it continues.
A great net smash by Raducanu brings up a fifth deuce - and she gets to advantage again with a smart volley.
Emma Raducanu 3-4 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:31 , Flo CliffordRaducanu looks annoyed as she has time to get to a drop shot but sells it short and into the net.
Some fabulous serving by Kudermetova as she gets Raducanu off-balance with a powerful strike into her forehand corner, and as the Brit sails long on the next shot it’s a first love hold for the Russian.
*Emma Raducanu 3-3 Veronika Kudermetova
12:28 , Flo CliffordRaducanu turns the tables with a body serve and moves up to the net, opening a wide space for Kudermetova - but the Russian’s cross-court attempt goes long.
A first double fault for Raducanu lets Kudermetova back in, but she plays a smart drop shot that the former world No. 9 can’t get to, and lets out a roar with a first ace down the T.
She holds to 30 as Kudermetova launches a return almost horizontally into the stands.
BREAK BACK! Emma Raducanu 2-3 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:24 , Flo CliffordAnd she gets it! Raducanu does well to direct the Russian back and forth, and with Kudermetova at full stretch to reach a sublime backhand, she sends it long and the Brit gets the immediate break back.
Back on serve.
Emma Raducanu 1-3 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:22 , Flo CliffordKudermetova’s strategy seems to be to body-serve as much as she can, and it’s working well so far.
Raducanu’s energy looks to have dropped a little and she gets a forehand down the line - normally a great shot - all wrong, sending it nearly out of the doubles tramlines.
But she does better on a second serve as Kudermetova sends it straight into her strike zone - and pays the price.
And now the Brit has a break point, forcing Kudermetova long! A much better rally from Raducanu.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 1-3 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:18 , Flo CliffordBut the Russian gets this one! It’s an excellent rally by both players and Kudermetova wins it with an immaculate drop shot, with Raducanu marooned behind the baseline after a lengthy exchange. The world No. 50 leads 3-1.
*Emma Raducanu 1-2 Veronika Kudermetova
12:16 , Flo CliffordEarly signs that Kudermetova’s pressure is showing. Raducanu goes for another powerful cross-court forehand but drags this one wide, then sends another beyond the baseline to go 0-30 down.
The Russian lasers in a return and Raducanu rushes her next one, firing wide again.
Kudermetova wastes her first break point, into the net, but still has two more. She gets a net approach shot all wrong and Raducanu is still in this...
Emma Raducanu 1-2 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:10 , Flo CliffordRaducanu does well to chase after a Kudermetova serve, dragging a great down-the-line winner at full stretch, but the Russian does better to redirect her a second time around.
Raducanu gets a look-in at a short second serve but can only shank it into the net.
*Emma Raducanu 1-1 Veronika Kudermetova
12:09 , Flo CliffordIt’s been a positive, confident start by Raducanu, aiming to dictate play with some powerful groundstrokes.
A lovely forehand followed by a rally where she forces the error from Kudermetova, who sprays well wide, helps her on her way to a love hold.
Emma Raducanu 0-1 Veronika Kudermetova*
12:04 , Flo CliffordThe Russian serves first and gets things underway with a smart backhand, pinpointing the corner.
Raducanu looks to apply some pressure with some powerful cross-court forehands but Kudermetova defends well and wins the rally with a smash.
The Brit is opting for an aggressive returning strategy and it works well to get her to 30-30, but the Russian serves well and gets on the board.
*denotes current server
Raducanu vs Kudermetova
12:00 , Flo CliffordVeronika Kudermetova is a former semi-finalist at the Italian Open, so this match should be a step up in difficulty from Raducanu’s second-round win over Jil Teichmann.
The Russian knocked out 15th seed Amanda Anisimova in her previous match and Italian wildcard Lucrezia Stefanini in the first round.
Players on court
11:55 , Flo CliffordThe players are out on court and getting ready to play. Sky Sports notes that the Supertennis Arena, which is hosting this match, holds 3,000 people and is free to enter, no ticket required. It’s pretty sparsely populated at the moment, so if you’re a Brit in Rome, get yourself down there.
Raducanu next up
11:45 , Flo CliffordDaniil Medvedev has wrapped things up sharpish since I typed that, winning 6-2, 6-1, so it won’t be long now before Raducanu and Kudermetova take to the court.
The pair are in theory closely matched: Raducanu is ranked 49th in the world, the 28-year-old Kudermetova - once a world No. 9 - is ranked 50th. The pair have never played each other.
How to watch
11:36 , Flo CliffordViewers in the UK can watch all the action at the Italian Open live on Sky Sports.
Emma Raducanu vs Veronika Kudermetova is the second match on the (hopefully accurately-named) Supertennis Arena, with Jack Draper vs Vit Kopriva to follow immediately after that.
The first match looks to be heading towards its conclusion, with Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 4-1 up against Alexei Popyrin, so Raducanu and Kudermetova will likely be on court around 12-12.15pm BST.
Yesterday's action...
11:25 , Flo CliffordBut one top player was not so lucky: defending champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the Italian Open in the third round to Danielle Collins as her woeful 2025 continues.
She suffered a 6-1, 7-5 defeat to the American, a major upset that will cost the Pole the World No 2 ranking as the defence of her French Open title looms.
Swiatek held a commanding 7-1 head-to-head record against Collins before the contest and yet another early defeat does not bode well for the 23-year-old, who has not won a tournament since her fourth triumph at Roland Garros last year.
Iga Swiatek bombs out of Italian Open to drop down world rankings
Yesterday's action...
11:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleYesterday saw the return to court of Jannik Sinner from his ban, with the home hero given a predictably warm reception by the Italian Open crowd.
Sinner enjoys triumphant return from doping ban at Italian Open
Emma Raducanu’s partnership with coach Mark Petchey ‘working pretty well’
11:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleEmma Raducanu’s coaching situation remains slightly uncertain for the future, though her part-time partnership with Mark Petchey seems to be going reasonably well.
Emma Raducanu’s partnership with coach Mark Petchey ‘working pretty well’
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper coast into Italian Open third round
10:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was smooth sailing for both British players on Friday, Emma Raducanu taking advantage of Ekaterina Alexandrova’s injury to sweep aside a lucky loser and Jack Draper continuing his fine form.
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper coast into Italian Open third round
Italian Open LIVE
10:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a big day of action for the Brits in Rome, both Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper in action on the clay of the Eternal City at the Italian Open. After strong wins on Friday to reach the third round, can the pair continue their fine form and progress again as the action hots up?
