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.
When is Emma Raducanu vs Iga Swiatek?
The Stuttgart Open quarter-final is set to begin from 4pm BST (UK time) on Friday 19 April.
Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek’s match is scheduled third, following the meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova - so it may start slightly later depending on the earlier matches.
Raducanu vs Swiatek - LIVE
Iga Swiatek has defeated Emma Raducanu twice in the only two encounters between the players. The first was here in Stuttgart in 2022 with the world No. 1 taking the match 6-4, 6-4 before the pair met at Indian Wells in 2023 with Swiatek winning 6-3, 6-1.
Raducanu is playing her best tennis for a while and will have good memories about her previous match against Swiatek in Stuttgart despite the defeat.
Taking four matches in each set off Swiatek is not easy and only one swing of momentum is needed to turn a set Raducanu’s way. Will she make it happen today?
Raducanu vs Swiatek - LIVE
Swiatek started her Stuttgart title defence with a 6-3 6-4 win against Elise Mertens.
The 2022 and 2023 champion was making her first appearance on clay this season after a first-round bye. She proved to be too good Mertens, winning in an hour and 33 minutes.
“I’m really happy with the way I played. Elise was really good on defence. I’m happy with the way I handled it,” said Swiatek.
“There’s always pressure when you’re favourite in every match. In Doha, it was hard to let the pressure go... in the past two years, it’s never easy. I’m not taking anything for granted. Keep my focus, it’s the only way.”
Raducanu vs Swiatek - LIVE
There’s been a steeliness to Emma Raducanu in her most recent matches which whould hold her in good stead going forward for the rest of the season.
Take a look at her putting away Linda Noskova in the previous round:
Andy Murray posts encouraging recovery update in bid to be fit for Wimbledon
Andy Murray has shared footage of him hitting on the practice court as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
The 36-year-old ruptured ligaments at last month’s Miami Open, but his team announced on Monday he would not need surgery and hoped to “start hitting again on court soon”.
And on Friday, the former world number one posted a video on Instagram Stories showing him hitting forehands on an indoor court.
Andy Murray posts encouraging recovery update in bid to be fit for Wimbledon
Murray ruptured ligaments at last month’s Miami Open but is now back on the practice court
Emma Raducanu sets up quarter-final tie with Iga Swiatek
Emma Raducanu says the best is yet to come as she continued her excellent form by making it through to the quarter-final of the Stuttgart Open.
The 2021 US Open champion beat Linda Noskova 6-0 7-5 in Germany to set up a mouth-watering last-eight tie with world number one Iga Swiatek on Friday.
Raducanu is making her way back after a torrid 2023 but looked excellent in winning her two ties in the Billie Jean King Cup at the 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.
(PA)
Raducanu missing out on Roland Garros
Raducanu, despite winning the US Open in 2021 and having a career-high ranking of 10, will be fifth on the alternates list for the French Open.
That means she requires five players to pull out before the start of the competition to be included in the main draw. Alternativelshe will need to go through qualifying or be awarded a wildcard to partake in the tournament.
Since her success in the US Open, Raducanu has been plagued by a number of injuries and has not moved past the second round of a Grand Slam.
She missed the 2023 edition when she was forced to undergo surgery on both wrists and one ankle.
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal on Roland Garros entry list, but Emma Raducanu misses out
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal have been included on the entry list for Roland Garros 2024.
However, Emma Raducanu, currently using a protected ranking of 103, is not guaranteed a place in the women’s draw.
Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, ruptured ankle ligaments during the Miami Open in March, and has not played at Roland Garros since 2020, his only tournament since he underwent hip resurfacing surgery in 2019.
Andy Murray included on Roland Garros entry list, but Emma Raducanu misses out
Rafael Nadal has won the tournament 14 times, but 2024 could be his last Roland Garros outing
Raducanu defeats Kerber in round of 32
Emma Raducanu claimed an emphatic 6-2 6-1 win over former two-time champion Angelique Kerber in the last 32 of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
Fresh from helping Great Britain reach the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup at the weekend, Raducanu continued her promising form on clay by breezing past the home favourite.
Both Raducanu and Kerber were playing as wild cards in Stuttgart, with the Briton tumbling down the rankings after time out to undergo three surgeries.
Meanwhile former world No 1 Kerber only recently returned from 18 months out on maternity leave.
Raducanu got off to a flying start by breaking Kerber in the opening game and despite an immediate response from the German, the 2021 US Open champion took control and claimed the first set in 41 minutes.
Kerber was broken again at the start of the second set and although she managed to haul back level, Raducanu stepped up a gear and shrugged off a brief visit from the trainer to wrap up an emphatic win.
(PA)
Raducanu on facing Swiatek
“We played here two years ago in the quarters, I have come a long way in two years, and she has achieved a lot, I have nothing to lose, I can swing and enjoy it.
“Hopefully recover in time. I’m good.”
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