“Making the QFs of any WTA event last year would have been like, the best thing ever” – Raducanu resets expectations ahead of Swiatek clash

This will be the 19-year-old’s first ever match against a top 10 opponent

Emma Raducanu at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart 2022 Image Credit: Imago / Panoramic

April 22, 2022

For any other 19-year-old playing her first full season on the WTA Tour, reaching a WTA-level quarter-final would be a big accomplishment. But such has been the nature of Emma Raducanu’s rise over the past 12 months, which includes her stunning run to the US Open title as a qualifier, that a WTA level quarter-final does not satisfy her fans and the media.

On Thursday, Raducanu, who was 3-6 in 2022 prior to this week, defeated German Tamara Korpatsch in three sets to advance to the last eight at the WTA Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.

The 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 win came on the back of her 6-1, 6-2 win over Australia’s Storm Sanders in the first round, marking the first time since last October that the young Brit has won back-to-back matches on the WTA Tour.

The win sets up an intriguing quarter-final clash against world No 1 Iga Swiatek, who won her 20th match in a row, beating German Eva Lys 6-1, 6-1.

Raducanu is aware of the unrealistic expectations around her, saying that reaching a WTA quarter-final before her US Open run would have been a dream come true.

“I feel like it is definitely an achievement for me because making the QFs of any WTA tournament last year would have been like, ‘This is the best thing ever.’”

Emma Raducanu on having now made 2 @WTA quarterfinals since winning the US Open:

“I feel like it is definitely an achievement for me because making the QFs of any WTA tournament last year would have been like, ‘This is the best thing ever.’”#PorscheTennis pic.twitter.com/4Na3Tr1ReL
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 21, 2022

She’s No1 in the world, she’s won all the tournaments recently, so I feel like I’ve got no pressure: Raducanu

This will be the first meeting on the pro tour between Swiatek and Raducanu. The two did square off once on the junior circuit, in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, which the Pole won 6-0, 6-1. Interestingly, it will be the 19-year-old Raducanu’s first match against a top 10 player.

The Brit, though, is not putting any pressure on herself, saying that Swiatek is the clear favourite.

“Of course [Swiatek is] in great form, so it’s going to take a very high level from me to make it competitive. I’m looking forward to going out there. She’s No 1 in the world, she’s won all the tournaments recently, so I feel like I’ve got no pressure.”