"I think it's going to be a challenge" - Barty on quarterfinal showdown with Gauff

Ashleigh Barty continues to accumulate wins this season, defeating Veronika Kudermetova to reach the Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome quarterfinals on Thursday.

The World No.1 pulled off an easy 6-3 6-3 win over her Russian opponent, notching her 27th match-win of the season. The 78 minute victory ensured that Barty reached the quarterfinals of Rome for the first time in her career, and improves her 2021 record on clay to 13-2.

"I think once I walked out there, it was a bit of a 'wow' factor," Barty said after her match. "Pretty impressive center court, took some time to get used to that. Without a doubt, happy with how we were able to tactically move about that match today and kind of stick to what we hoped would work and be able to execute."

The top seed next faces American teenager Coco Gauff, who upset World No.4 Aryna Sabalenka to reach the quarterfinals.

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

"I think it's going to be important for me to try to get the match back on my terms as often as possible. I know when they're in her patterns, the way she likes to play, she's extremely dangerous and very good at what she does. I think it's going to be a new challenge, a clean slate for both of us."