Emma Raducanu says the best is yet to come as she continued her excellent form by making it through to the quarter-final of the Stuttgart Open. The 2021 US Open champion beat Linda Noskova 6-0, 7-5 in Germany to set up a mouth-watering last-eight tie with the world No 1, Iga Swiatek, on Friday.
Raducanu is making her way back after a torrid 2023 but looked excellent in winning her two ties in the Billie Jean King Cup at the weekend and then followed that up by swatting home favourite Angelique Kerber aside in Wednesday’s first round.
She stepped it up again to dispose of the world No 31 to set up a repeat of the 2022 quarter-final with Swiatek. Despite all her troubles since winning the US Open in 2021, Raducanu never doubted the good times would return.
“I am not too surprised because I have been working really hard on the training court and I knew it was just a matter of time,” she said in her on-court interview. “This isn’t my best, I still have a long way to go. I am just really happy the rewards are starting to come on the match court.
“You know how it is when you are training day in, day out you feel like the results aren’t going your way. It is never that far away, that is something I am learning.
“Going through everything I have been through gives you a different appreciation, there is nothing like playing in front of fans and playing good tennis.”
She will face the toughest test of her progress against the Polish world No 1, who is a master of the clay court, but the Briton knows she is not under any pressure.
Raducanu, whose world ranking of 303 will shoot up, added: “We played here two years ago in the quarters. I have come a long way in two years, and she has achieved a lot. I have nothing to lose, I can swing and enjoy it. Hopefully recover in time. I’m good.”
Source: theguardian.com
