Raducanu demolished by Swiatek in 'perfect' match

Emma Raducanu took the joint heaviest defeat of her career on the chin.

- ELEANOR CROOKS

The British No 2 managed only a single game against second seed Iga Swiatek and lost 11 in a row in a 6-1 6-0 hammering in the third round of the Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena.

It equalled the defeat she suffered to Elena Rybakina at a WTA Tour event in Sydney three years ago. The only previous time Raducanu had played on Melbourne Park’s main arena was against Coco Gauff two years ago, when she acquitted herself well, but Swiatek was simply too good.

“I think it was a match going into it I knew I had to play really well,” said Raducanu, who is yet to win a set in four matches against Swiatek. “I think today, credit to Iga, she played good tennis, but I think it was a little bit of her playing well and me not playing so well. That combination is probably not good and resulted in today.

“The scoreline was obviously quite harsh. I feel like I look back and know exactly what I need to do, and I take it as feedback.”

Having come into the tournament with no warm-up matches following a back spasm – which flared up again during her second-round win over Amanda Anisimova – Raducanu did well to get to the third round.

She highlighted her serve as the key area she needs to work on if she is to get closer to the top players after being broken 16 times in six sets and hitting 24 double faults in Melbourne.

“Three weeks ago when I was in Auckland I was doing pool rehab,” said the 22-year-old, the only British woman to reach the last 32. I think to be on a tennis court playing matches and competing is something I have to be grateful for.