Emma Raducanu advanced to the next round of Indian Wells with a steady showing and minimal challenges, confidently securing a 6-2, 6-3 victory over qualifier Rebeka Masarova. She will face a tougher opponent, the 30th seed Dayana Yastremska, on Saturday.
“It was crucial for me to push through that. This tournament is particularly challenging due to the unpredictable conditions. However, I managed to handle it well and defeat a formidable opponent who thrives in these conditions,” Raducanu said in an interview with Sky Sports Tennis, discussing the difficult playing conditions at the desert venue known for its slow pace, high bounces, and windy weather.
Last month in Doha, Raducanu lost to Anhelina Kalinina after not winning any games in the opening set. However, in her recent match against No 96 ranked Spaniard Masarova, Raducanu played more effectively from the start. She had strong returns and good depth on her shots, taking advantage of Masarova’s weak movement. She also demonstrated precision and speed in moving the ball around the court, particularly with her backhand. Compared to her aggressive style in the Middle East, Raducanu showed more patience and selected her moments to attack from inside the baseline more carefully.
Despite being ahead 3-0, Raducanu lost a game due to three double faults, giving Masarova a chance to catch up. However, she persisted through her challenges and her skill in being consistent and mobile gave her an advantage. This was evident when she successfully navigated a difficult service game at 3-2 and went on to win the set with ease.
In the next round, Raducanu once again started with a 3-0 advantage, but her concentration slipped and the set became increasingly challenging. However, having won the first set and with Masarova’s confidence faltering, Raducanu stayed composed and ultimately sealed the win on her fourth match point.
Raducanu expressed her joy in playing in America and mentioned that some of her finest performances have taken place here. She is delighted to return and deeply grateful for the support and affection she has been receiving.
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This week marks a significant milestone for Raducanu as she aims to regain her place in the rankings after taking an eight-month break to heal from surgeries on her wrists and ankles in April. In 2020, Raducanu beat two top 20 players to reach the fourth round in Indian Wells, which was one of her strongest performances since winning the US Open. She must now defend those points or risk falling further down in the rankings. At the beginning of this week, she was at the risk of dropping from her current rank of 250 to around 340, but her recent win has propelled her to approximately 315.
However, Raducanu has stated that her ranking is not her main priority at the moment. Even with her recent appearances in the Middle East and California, she has spent several weeks training at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. Rather than having a packed schedule, she believes it is more important to focus on developing her skills as a player at this stage in her career.
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Starting on Friday, the seeded players will join the competition in both the men’s and women’s draws after receiving a first-round pass. This gives Raducanu an occasion to showcase her training progress against tough opponents. Her upcoming rival, Yastremska, had a strong start to the year, making it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Caroline Wozniacki arrived at the Indian Wells tournament with a record of 5-6 in her comeback to professional tennis, reflecting her difficulties in finding her rhythm. However, she managed to make progress by winning her first match against Zhu Lin with a score of 7-6 (6), 6-1. She will now face a tough opponent in the second round, as she goes up against the 25th seed, Donna Vekic, on Friday.
Simona Halep has declared her comeback to the world of tennis at the upcoming Miami Open, which is in 10 days. This comes after the verdict of her four-year ban for doping was brought down to just nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. As a result, she is now eligible to resume her professional career without delay, reclaiming her former ranking as No. 1.
Source: theguardian.com
