Iga Swiatek continued her outstanding form at the Stuttgart Open as she defeated Emma Raducanu 7-6 (7-2) 6-3, with the world number one now set to face Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina in the next round. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable 10-match winning run in the German city, having won the last two editions of the WTA 500 tournament. Raducanu, meanwhile, fought valiantly in her first WTA quarter-final appearance in 19 months against a player known for her excellence on clay surfaces. Despite losing, the 21-year-old Briton is enjoying a strong comeback from an injury-hit 2023. She helped Britain defeat France in the Billie Jean King Cup last weekend and enjoyed victories against Angelique Kerber and Linda Noskova this week.
Swiatek was gracious in victory and said about Raducanu: “I hope she will be able to do it because for sure she has the game for it.” Raducanu should be pleased with her performances in Germany, although it would have been a huge bonus to progress. Raducanu’s run to the quarter-finals in Stuttgart will see her rise up the world rankings after dropping 303rd following ankle and wrist operations in 2023.
Elsewhere, Rybakina and Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova progressed to the semi-finals. Rybakina defeated Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-3 5-7 6-3, while Vondrousova secured an impressive come-from-behind victory against the world number two, Aryna Sabalenka. Vondrousova won 3-6 6-3 7-5, in what was Sabalenka’s latest disappointing display since winning the Australian Open in January. Marta Kostyuk and Coco Gauff also played in poor games, with Kostyuk ultimately gaining the upper hand to triumph 3-6 6-4 7-6 (8-6).
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