Emma Raducanu vs Iga Swiatek LIVE: Updates and result from Tennis Grand Prix quarter-finals in Stuttgart
The 21-year-old Brit has returned to form but now faces the world No1 in the last eight of the Porsche Grand Prix
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Emma Raducanu’s progress in the Stuttgart Open was halted in straight sets by world number one Iga Swiatek. The Polish four-time grand slam champion, in her 100th week on top of the ATP world rankings, prevailed 7-6 (2) 6-3 to set up a semi-final showdown with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
It was, however, an encouraging quarter-final performance from Raducanu, who has slipped to 303 in the world rankings after a torrid 2023.
Raducanu came in to the contest on a high after winning four matches in a row for the first time since her US Open title in 2021 and raised confidence levels were reflected in the opening exchanges.
“For sure it was an intense match so I’m glad I matched that for two hours,” said Swiatek. “Today a lot of break points didn’t convert but I’m glad I finished with a better second set than first. It was difficult for sure.
“Tennis is hard if you want to stay consistently on the top - I hope [Raducanu will] be able to do it because she has the game, but it’s not easy for sure.”
Follow the match in our live blog below and see our latest odds and tips across all sporting events here.
*Swiatek 4-4 Raducanu
A fierce battle between these two once more, back and forth and trading points. Raducanu produces a couple of really good backhands to force Swiatek side to side and eventually the Pole sends one long for some breathing space at 40-15.
The next service is powerful and sent back into the net for a strong hold of service and 4-4.
Swiatek 4-3 Raducanu*
19 of 21 clay court matches won by Swiatek last year and 18 of 19 the year before. That shows the consistency which the best women’s player has on this surface - and she’s roaring through this game now too.
40-0 in quick order, then a rally ends with Raducanu being forced to fire long for game to love.
*Swiatek 3-3 Raducanu
Two quick points from Raducanu, then a longer rally which Swiatek eventually edges as she forces the Brit further and further back, then fizzes a brilliant passing shot into the corner.
Sliding on the clay, Raducanu can’t change direction quickly enough and follows that up by putting one into the net and gifts Swiatek another break point.
Swiatek calls the next out but the umpire comes down from the chair to rule it in for deuce, before Swiatek incredibly smashes a volley at the net wild, wide and out. Raducanu survives and sees it out for 3-3.
Swiatek 3-2 Raducanu*
By contrast, Raducanu’s returns are looking very impressive in the early stages of this game. No fear in striking back firmly and chasing every wide serve, finding her mark more often than not.
She sends Swiatek wide right to open the court for a passing winner, but her reply is sensational - Raducanu can’t stretch enough and it’s back to 30-30. A clench of the first from the Pole one point later shows she knows she’s in a real game here and Raducanu sends her next spinning forehand out for the game.
*Swiatek 2-2 Raducanu
The duo swap ends and it’s a strong service game from Raducanu from the start.
Those powerful strikes down the centre line are proving difficult for Swiatek to return and a couple of errors from her see the scores quickly levelled again.
Swiatek 2-1 Raducanu*
Very back-and-forth in the early stages, this. Raducanu certainly not fazed by dropping the game or facing the Pole and it’s another game which lurches from one to the other winning points, producing fine shots and sending testing deliveries to the other.
Raducanu eventually tries a little too hard with one return into the net and Swiatek takes the lead.
*Swiatek 1-1 Raducanu
A big serve gives Raducanu advantage again, before another long shot spurns the opportunity to close out the game and Swiatek rocks back next time for a third break point of the game.
This time it’s a long rally which determines the point - and finally Swiatek finds the passing shot, a forehand right to the byline, and we’re all square at one game apiece.
*Swiatek 0-1 Raducanu
The crowd sounds their support for Swiatek as Raducanu prepares for her first service game. A couple of big serves go out but Swiatek fails to return the first of her second serves, before forcing a long shot after a rally.
Swiatek tries the same shot twice, then: backhand low over the net and right down Raducanu’s right-hand line. One goes out, one in for 30-30, then Raducanu hits long and Swiatek has an immediate break point of her own - but she fails to see both this one and a second through.
Raducanu battles hard to earn three advantages of her own from deuce but twice hits long. Up to 14 minutes for the match at a fifth deuce of the game, then an unforced error from Swiatek gives Raducanu another chance and this one is volleyed way too long. Pressure or timing, the execution was poor this time. Back to deuce.
Swiatek 0-1 Raducanu*
Off and running in the third quarter-final. Second serve is too much for Raducanu to return, into the net, before the world No1 then emerges on top after the first rally of the game.
The Brit gets into her stride to send Swiatek first left and then right, sending a shot into the net on the stretch, then sends a fizzing shot past the Pole for 40-30. The next shot is a brilliant return which clips the line and Raducanu has gone from 40-0 to deuce.
She doesn’t stop there either and immediately breaks Swiatek with another shot which sends her the wrong way. Great start!
Raducanu vs Swiatek
Here we go! Ready to start, Swiatek serving first.
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