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'I DON'T HAVE MUCH EXPECTATION': RADUCANU SETS SWIATEK SHOWDOWN



Brit Emma Raducanu has booked a third-round showdown against Iga Swiatek after defeating good friend Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-5 on Kia Arena. 


In a brutal second-round fixture, the two women showed a packed stadium exactly why, despite their youth, they have long been considered future stars of our sport.  


Raducanu, 22, moved well on the court despite having her lower back attended to.


The injury appears to be a lingering concern, sparked by a back spasm before Christmas that cost the 2021 US Open Champion two weeks of pre-season training.  


Despite repeated questions from the inquisitive British press, Raducanu was playing down the likelihood of any major ongoing injury trouble, noting she hadn’t played a competitive match since September. 


“I think it's almost to be expected when you haven't played a match in so long, and then to have two really physical ones,” she said. 


“I think small niggles are going to come up here and there. I'm just hoping that it is that.


“I felt it pretty much like quite early in the match in the first set, but I was trying not to show anything, of course.”


In a match dominated by the returning player, Raducanu proved more clinical on break-point opportunities, converting 80% (8/10) of her chances while denying Anisimova 62% (8/13) of the time. 


Playing her first event for the year, Raducanu, who enjoyed so much support on Kia Arena that you’d be forgiven for thinking she was Australian, acknowledged the difficulty of playing a close friend while knowing her best tennis was required to secure victory. 


It’s incredibly difficult whenever you play a friend,” she said in her on-court interview which followed a warm hug from Anisimova at the end of the match. 


“It adds another dimension to the match, and not necessarily a pleasant one. It’s really difficult to put all things off-court aside, but I managed to do a great job today.


“She’s such an amazing opponent who has had so many big wins, so I knew I had to fight hard, raise my game, and not go away in the second set even when the chips were down. I’m just really pleased and I wished her all the best.”


Anisimova, 23, was unable to back up her trip to the fourth round at the Australian Open after an indifferent lead-in that included a first-round loss in Auckland to compatriot Alycia Parks and back-to-back wins in Hobart before withdrawing due to an injury niggle. 


It remains unclear when fans will next see Anisimiova - who is reportedly on the biggest Nike apparel contract since Maria Sharapova - on the court.


The American, ranked No.35, has enjoyed a limited schedule since returning from an eight-month break from tennis to prioritise her mental health in 2023. 


As for Raducanu, the win marks her first time passing the second round of the Australian Open which, while surprising for a Grand Slam champion, reflects the reality that she’s yet to start a season without an injury concern since her Flushing Meadows triumph. 


Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport.


Relevantly, Raducanu provided a timely reminder of the uniqueness of her journey in her press conference when asked a question about comparing herself to Swiatek.  


A victim of consistent criticism over her physical fitness, Raducanu referenced the fact that her teenage years were not as tennis-dense as one might expect, meaning her foundations are still being developed; a remarkable fact for a 22-year-old Grand Slam champion. 


“Of course, I've seen her win a lot, but I also know that we've had very different paths," Raducanu acknowledged. 

 

“I know that she was playing since a very young age, and my hours in comparison were probably a bit comical when I was 17, 18, playing six hours a week (laughing).


"I don't think it was the same trajectory. I think now I'm working on building those foundations, and everyone kind of does things at their own pace.


As to how she’ll match up against Swiatek, a dangerous Raducanu revealed she’ll be going in without any expectations. 


“It's going to be a match where I feel like I don't have much expectation externally,” she said.  


“But I think I'm going to enjoy playing in a great atmosphere. I think the last two matches I've had the crowd has been amazing, the support here. I've really felt at home. 


“I'm looking forward to going out there and testing my game against the best, because ultimately, you play tennis, and you live for these matches.”


Irrespective of whether Raducanu can cause an upset against Swiatek, this week is a positive step forward for the Brit.


She has demonstrated her tenacity and sheer competitiveness to earn two big wins against Anisimova and 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova while navigating injury niggles and a hot-and-cold serving run. 


Swiatek holds a 3-0 head-to-head record against Raducanu with their last meeting being a tight 7-6, 6-3 encounter on clay in the quarter-finals at the Stuttgart Open. 


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