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Emma Raducanu will compete against Naomi Osaka in the Italian Open. The tournament is the final WTA 1000 event of the clay-court season.
Photo by Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The final clay-court WTA 1000 event of the season will get underway this week at the Italian Open.
Jasmine Paolini is the defending champion in Rome, with the home hope having beaten Coco Gauff in the championship match last year.
Every player will be looking for a deep run at the Italian Open ahead of Roland Garros, including Emma Raducanu, who will play her first match since the Indian Wells Open in early March.
The Briton has yet to feature during the clay season, citing an injury in her right hand. Upon return, Raducanu has been handed a brutal draw at the 2026 edition of the Italian Open.
Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
Raducanu has landed in a tough quarter of the draw, with both Gauff and Paolini – last year’s finalists – on her side. She’s seeded 27th, so she gets a first-round bye and will face either a qualifier or Solana Sierra in her opening match.
If Raducanu wins that, she’ll likely face Gauff in the third round. The American has won both of their previous meetings at this level.
If she gets through that test, 18-year-old Iva Jovic could be waiting in the next round. Jovic has already started making waves on tour despite her age.
Mirra Andreeva, Elise Mertens and Maya Joint are also in this quarter, adding even more depth to what looks like one of the tougher sections of the draw.
Emma Raducanu is facing Naomi Osaka at the Italian Open.
Jasmine Paolini won the Italian Open last year, defeating Coco Gauff in the final.
The Italian Open is the final WTA 1000 event of the clay-court season, making it a crucial tournament for players ahead of the French Open.

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Speaking on his show ‘Off Court with Greg’, the former US Open finalist said: “Emma looked like she’s striking it well. So fingers crossed this is the start of getting her momentum back.
“Because let’s not forget, she hasn’t played a match since Indian Wells. I mean, that’s ages ago. Fingers crossed she’s healthy.
“Conditions are faster, quick, and she looked good in the practice session. So for all those Raducanu fans out there, this is a good week to start. Hopefully she’s healthy to push through and get some wins this week.”
The fourth-round appearance at last year’s Italian Open remains Raducanu’s best result at the tournament so far.
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