Raducanu in a hurry to set up Swiatek clash
Briton faces world No1 today after overpowering Noskova I have a long way to go – this is not my best, says 21-year-old
Emma Raducanu continued her comeback to tour-level tennis in fine fashion after securing a fourth straight win – the first time she has achieved such a feat since her 2021 US Open triumph – to move into the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Open.
The Briton played some of her finest tennis in recent memory as she powered past Czech sensation Linda Noskova to set up a last-eight meeting with world No 1 Iga Swiatek today.
Noskova, 19, who stunned Swiatek in the third round of this year’s Australian Open, is one of the most exciting prospects on the women’s tour, having risen to 31st in the rankings. Yet Raducanu, who started the week at 301st in the live rankings but could now move up to 254th, swatted the teenager aside with ease on the red Stuttgart dust.
She showed no emotional hangover from her heroics at last weekend’s Billie Jean King Cup in France, where she carried Great Britain to victory.
The 21-year-old emerged on court with strapping on her left knee but has looked more physically robust since returning from wrist and ankle surgeries, securing a 6-0, 7-5 win in one hour and 19 minutes. Afterwards, she warned there was more to come.
“Honestly, I don’t think this is my best,” Raducanu said. “I still have a long way to go but I’m just really happy that the rewards are starting to come on the match court because when you’re training day in, day out and you feel the results aren’t exactly going your way, it’s never that far away I guess and that’s something I’ve been learning.”
Raducanu was the picture of control as she dished out an opening set bagel in 27 minutes, striking a flurry of clean forehand winners.
Noskova coughed up a total of 31 unforced errors to Raducanu’s tally of seven and made a huge error of judgement when, trailing 3-0 in the first set, she assumed her first serve was long. She stood motionless while Raducanu responded with a decisive backhand to give herself a double break.
Noskova struggled to manipulate the Raducanu serve and fend off her venomous forehands, which provided the platform for the former US Open champion’s victory.
Raducanu’s last-eight meeting with Swiatek will provide a more
forensic picture of where the Briton’s game is at. The pair met at this stage in this event two years ago – when the Pole won in straight sets.
“I’ve come a long way in two years,” Raducanu said. “I’ve matured a lot and she’s obviously achieved so much so for me, it’s a match where I have nothing to lose. I can just swing and enjoy it.”