Emma Raducanu’s sparkling run of form continued as she beat Linda Noskova 6-0 7-5 to move set up a blockbuster quarter-final against world No 1 Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu is making her way back after a torrid 2023 but looked excellent in winning her two ties in the Billie Jean King Cup last 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 number 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.”
Raduanu was also asked to reveal the advice her coach Nick Cavaday gave her ahead of the final game of the match, as she suggested she needed to slow her opponent down a little.
“Right before I broke, he told me to take a little more time,” she stated. “Linda is a great opponent, but she was serving in like 20 seconds. He (Cavaday) was just making sure I took more time.”
Looking to her match against Swiatek, Raducanu added: “We played two years ago here in the quarter-finals so it is exactly the same. I have come a long way since, matured a lot, and she has achieved so much,” Raducanu continued.
“It is a match where I have nothing to lose. I can just swing and enjoy it. I am looking forward to it.”
Noskova might only be a 19-year-old rising star, but she has been one of the most dangerous players on the WTA Tour in 2024, with her win against world No 1 at the Australian Open backed up by a victory against world No 9 Maria Sakkari in Qatar.
Yet the Czech player had no answer to Raducanu’s attacking game, as she is hitting her forehand with a venom that would challenge the best players in the world once again.
There is also a noticeable improvement in the pace and positioning of her serve, with her levels of accuracy also impressive as she got 74 per-cent of her first serves in court and won 75 per-cent of those points.
In addition, Raducanu only made seven unforced errors over the course of the two set win, with her opponent making 31 by comparison.
Swiatek will be a very different challenge for Raducanu and she heads into that match as the big outsider, but there is no doubt her brand of big-hitting tennis is starting to rise to the surface once again.
She seems like she’s getting her game back together, so it’s great to see that, because for sure she has potential,” said Swiatek, as she assessed Raducanu’s form.
“It’s not going to be easy. She knows how to spin the ball and how to move on clay, as well.
“Playing against Emma, we played against each other once but it wasn’t easy. I wouldn’t expect an easy match.”
Those who were quick to write off Raducanu after her indifferent form following her US Open win almost three years ago may soon be forced to eat humble pie as this champion is on her way back to the top.