In a gritty display of resilience, Emma Raducanu overcame both a formidable opponent and her own physical struggles to advance to the second round of the French Open at Roland Garros. The British tennis sensation, still basking in the glow of her 2021 US Open triumph, fought through a grueling three-set match against China’s Wang Xinyu, clinching a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory. However, the win came at a cost, as Raducanu revealed a troubling health update that casts a shadow over her upcoming blockbuster clash with defending champion Iga Swiatek.
The match against Wang was a test of endurance, lasting two hours and 44 minutes—tying the longest clay-court match of Raducanu’s career. From the outset, the 22-year-old appeared physically strong, but signs of distress emerged late in the first set. A lengthy medical timeout saw her blood pressure and heart rate checked as she dabbed ice on her face to combat what she later described as feeling “very flat from the start.” Despite securing the first set, Raducanu’s energy levels plummeted, and she found herself trailing 1-5 in the second set as Wang rallied to force a decider. Yet, summoning her trademark tenacity, Raducanu unleashed a barrage of attacking tennis to seal the match, earning a standing ovation from the packed crowd on Court Eight.
“I don’t feel great,” Raducanu admitted post-match, her candor underscoring the physical toll of the encounter. “I was happy to get the win, but I was really struggling out there. To battle through and show that character, heart, and fight—that’s one of the most satisfying performances of my career.” Her words reflect a player who, despite health challenges, is rediscovering the joy of competition after a turbulent few years marked by injuries and inconsistent form.
Raducanu’s health concerns are not new. Just last week, a back issue flared up during a defeat to Danielle Collins at the Strasbourg Open, forcing her to undergo acupuncture—a treatment she approached reluctantly due to a phobia of needles. While her movement on the clay appeared unaffected, her energy levels betrayed her, raising questions about her readiness to face Swiatek, the three-time defending French Open champion and a dominant force on the red clay.
The upcoming second-round match, set for Wednesday or Thursday, pits Raducanu against a formidable adversary. Swiatek, who boasts a 22-match winning streak at Roland Garros, cruised into the second round with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Rebecca Sramkova. The Pole, aiming for a historic fourth consecutive women’s singles title, holds a perfect 4-0 record against Raducanu, including a crushing 6-1, 6-0 win at this year’s Australian Open. “I think it’s a match where I can really test and challenge myself,” Raducanu said, embracing the opportunity to face the “Queen of Clay” with no pressure. “Iga has always played really well when we’ve played, so I’ll go out there and give it my all.”
Swiatek, however, is not without her own challenges. Despite her dominance at Roland Garros, recent losses, including a shock defeat to Alexandra Eala at the Miami Open, suggest vulnerabilities. “We know each other’s game,” Swiatek noted in her post-match press conference. “She won the US Open, so she can play great tennis. I’ll need to be intense and focus on myself to be ready.” The Pole’s comments highlight the mutual respect between the two players, setting the stage for a compelling showdown.
For Raducanu, the match represents a chance to upset the odds and reclaim her place among tennis’s elite. Her journey since the 2021 US Open has been fraught with physical setbacks and intense scrutiny, yet her performance against Wang showcased her fighting spirit. Without her coach Mark Petchey, who was commentating for TruTV, Raducanu relied on her hitting partner Tom Welsh and mentor Jane O’Donoghue for support. Their presence will be crucial as she prepares to face Swiatek, a player whose clay-court prowess is unmatched.
As the tennis world awaits this high-stakes encounter, Raducanu’s health remains a concern. Her ability to recover from the physical and mental demands of her first-round marathon will be critical. Win or lose, her determination to compete through adversity is a testament to her resilience. “I’m just looking forward to going out there and playing with no pressure,” she said, a mindset that could prove her greatest asset against the formidable Swiatek.
# Emma Raducanu Battles Health Setbacks to Secure French Open Showdown with Iga Swiatek
## Match Recap
Emma Raducanu delivered a gritty performance at the French Open, overcoming illness and a tough opponent in China’s Wang Xinyu to secure a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory in a marathon two-hour-and-44-minute match. The win, one of the longest clay-court battles of her career, sets up a blockbuster second-round clash with defending champion Iga Swiatek.
## Health Challenges
Raducanu revealed she felt “very flat” during the match, requiring a medical timeout in the first set to check her blood pressure and heart rate. Despite trailing 1-5 in the second set, she rallied with aggressive play to clinch the decider. Her recent back issues, treated with acupuncture despite a phobia of needles, added to concerns about her physical condition.
## Quotes
– “I don’t feel great… but to battle through and show that character, heart, and fight—that’s one of the most satisfying performances of my career.” — Emma Raducanu
– “I think it’s a match where I can really test and challenge myself.” — Raducanu on facing Swiatek
– “We know each other’s game… She can play great tennis. I’ll need to be intense and focus on myself.” — Iga Swiatek
## Upcoming Showdown
Raducanu faces a daunting task against Swiatek, who holds a 4-0 head-to-head record, including a 6-1, 6-0 win at the 2025 Australian Open. Swiatek, aiming for a fourth straight French Open title, is on a 22-match winning streak at Roland Garros. The match is scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday, May 28 or 29, 2025.
## Context
Despite recent struggles, including a loss at the Strasbourg Open due to a back flare-up, Raducanu’s resilience shone through. Swiatek, while dominant on clay, has shown vulnerabilities, notably a defeat to Alexandra Eala at the Miami Open. Raducanu’s mindset of playing with “no pressure” could make this a closer contest than their past encounters suggest.
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