Raducanu says heavy defeat exposed 'holes' in clay game

Emma Raducanu said she felt exposed” by Iga Swiatek as the four-time French Open champion improved her winning record against the Briton to 5-0 with a one-sided 6-1 6-2 victory at Roland Garros.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

Raducanu said the nature of her latest defeat to Swiatek highlighted the “holes” in her game on clay and felt the difference in experience played a part during the second-round match. While Swiatek has won the last three titles in Paris, winning 23 matches in a row, Raducanu was playing on Court Philippe-Chatrier for the first time and struggled to assert herself.

“It was tough. I think in the beginning of the match it was pretty tight. As it went on, I think she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed. It was a difficult one,” Raducanu said.

“It was the first time playing a match on that court. It’s also different when it’s filled and it’s got everything around. You do feel like it is a big court. And it’s different and it’s new for me.

“It’s a surrounding that she’s obviously very comfortable with and she’s played in it a lot of times. I think that did emphasise me feeling a bit uncomfortable. But it’s a good experience for if I ever play on that court again.”

Raducanu has now lost all five of her matches against Swiatek without winning a set. This was their first meeting since the Australian Open in January, where Swiatek dropped just one game in the 6-1 6-0 win.