Emma Raducanu put up a strong performance in the Stuttgart Open quarter-finals but ultimately fell to defeat against world No.1 Iga Swiatek. The British star, who was ranked world No.303 after a lengthy absence from the WTA Tour due to injury problems and triple surgery, faced an uphill battle as a significant underdog against Swiatek. The Polish player, currently dominating women’s tennis with four major titles to her name, secured a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 victory over Raducanu, advancing to the semifinals of the event in Germany.
The match had an intriguing start, with Swiatek receiving a time violation from the umpire for taking too long to change her shoes. Despite this, Raducanu fought hard, breaking her opponent’s serve and saving break points in a lengthy second game. The two players traded service games, leading to a 4-4 tie in the first set. Swiatek’s class ultimately prevailed as she won the tie-break 7-2, taking the lead.
In the second set, Swiatek continued her relentless play, breaking Raducanu’s serve early on and maintaining her lead. Raducanu fought valiantly, saving break points to prevent Swiatek from running away with the match. However, Swiatek secured her third break to win the set 6-3, closing out the match in straight sets.
This was Emma’s reaction on Instagram after the match.
Despite the loss, Raducanu’s impressive victories over former world No.1 Angelique Kerber and world No.31 Linda Noskova in Stuttgart are noteworthy. These wins propelled her to her first quarter-final since 2022 and followed her successful performance for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers earlier in the month. Raducanu defeated world No.49 Diane Parry and world No.23 Caroline Garcia, helping Britain secure their place in the finals in November. The 21-year-old aims to regain her form and climb back up the rankings after her sensational Grand Slam victory at the US Open in 2021.
Emma Raducanu in 2024
Ranked no.
303, Raducanu played her last match on the 19th of April when she capitulated to world no.1 Iga Swiatek 7-6(2) 6-3 in the quarter in Stuttgart (draw).Currently, during this year Raducanu owns a compiled 9-6 match record.
Swiatek in Stuttgart, ranking, and results in 2024
Now ranked no.1, Iga has achieved a compiled 26-3 match record in 2024. Swiatek is currently playing in Stuttgart where she beat the world no.30 Elise Mertens 6-3 6-4
and the world no.303 Emma Raducanu 7-62 6-3.Iga Swiatek will fight against the world no.4 Elena Rybakina in the semifinal on Saturday at 2:00 pm on Centre Court. Their current head to head is 3-2 for Rybakina.
Iga clinched 3 titles in 2024 in Australia, Doha and Indian Wells.
Swiatek won 20 titles in her career: 13 on hard courts and 7 on clay courts. (See the list of her titles)
Swiatek has scheduled to play next in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open). She will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 22nd of April.
Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek played each other 3 times. Their current record is 3-0 for Swiatek. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Iga Swiatek won 7-6(2) 6-3 in the quarter in Stuttgart (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix) on the 19th of April 2024.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.