Emma Raducanu in line to face Coco Gauff in Rome draw as Brit prepares for first match since March | Tennis News

Emma Raducanu has been drawn to face Solana Sierra or a qualifier in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome as she prepares for her tournament since March and her first on clay this year.

Raducanu is set to compete in her first WTA Tour event since Indian Wells having extended her absence due to a viral illness.

The British No 1 recently pulled out of the Mutua Madrid Open citing an injury to her right hand and is yet to play a single match of the clay-court swing.

She will open her campaign against either world No 72 Solana from Argentina or a qualifier, having been handed a bye into round two.

The world No 30 will most likely come up against the reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in the third round, with Madrid Open finalist Mirra Andreeva the highest-ranked potential opponent in the quarter-finals.

World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is in the same half of the draw as Raducanu.

The Brit enjoyed her best run at the tournament last year, reaching the fourth roundbefore Gauff knocked her out.

Raducanu spent time training last week in Spain with Andrew Richardson at the Ferrer Tennis Academy near Alicante, where he is based.

Richardson was the coach who was by her side when she famously lifted the US Open title as a qualifier almost five years ago.

She has worked mainly with hitting partner Alexis Canter since the split from Francisco Roig, although she did briefly turn again to Mark Petchey at Indian Wells in March.

The 23-year-old is currently working under the guidance of childhood coach Jane O’Donoghue in Rome as she prepares for her comeback.

British No 3 Katie Boulter will be hoping to continue her promising start to the clay-court season having reached the quarter-finals in Rouen and picked up a victory at the Madrid Open.

She will open against German Eva Lys.

Cam Norrie has had a solid start to 2026 so far – reaching the third round at the Australian Open, quarter-finals at Indian Wells and Barcelona, regaining the British No 1 title and returning to the top 20.

The two-time ATP title-winner on clay has a first-round bye, while Jacob Fearnley, Jan Choinski, Jack Pinnington Jones and Billy Harris are all attempting to reach the main draw through qualifying.

World No 1 Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic can only meet in the final.

The Serb is set to make his first appearance since March, when he lost to Jack Draper at Indian Wells.

When is the Italian Open 2026?

The women’s draw gets under way on Tuesday, May 5, with the men’s set to start from Wednesday, May 6.

The event will run until finals weekend on May 16 and 17.

Day sessions will begin at 10am, with evening sessions starting at 6pm.

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