Ash wary of Gauff’s challenge

WORLD No 1 Ashleigh Barty conceded she was braced for a tough battle with “extremely dangerous” US teenager Coco Gauff after both advanced to a last-eight showdown at the Italian Open.

The top-seeded Australian won 6-3, 6-3 against Russian Veronika Kudermetova in the third round to set up a clash with 17-year-old Gauff who earlier ousted Madrid Open winner Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka shocked Barty in last weekend’s Madrid final and Barty (pictured) conceded she was wary of her first meeting with Gauff as she warms up for the French Open, which she won in her last appearance at Roland Garros in 2019.

“Coco has shown that she loves to bring her best tennis against the players that challenge her the most,” said Barty.

“She’s extremely dangerous. She’s played an exceptional tournament thus far. She’s got the ability to take the game on. She’s aggressive. She can run. She can trust her legs.”

Gauff, ranked 35th, reached her fourth quarter-final of the year with a 7-5, 6-3 win over world No 4 Sabalenka.

“It will be great to see where my level is,” said Gauff of playing Barty. “I mean, she’s the number one player in the world. I have no pressure on me. I’m just going to go out there and see what I can do and try my best.”

Six of the WTA’s top 10 players have already exited the Foro Italico, including second seed Naomi Osaka, four-time Rome winner Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin and Petra Kvitova.

Defending champion Simona Halep, the third seed, was forced to pull out with a calf injury in her second-round match.

“Hopefully I can continue that momentum into Paris,” said Gauff, looking ahead to the French Open on May 30.