Hello and welcome to live coverage of a huge match for Emma Raducanu.
The Briton is in quarter-final action at the Stuttgart Open where she will play world number one Iga Swiatek. Raducanu comes into the match playing some of the best tennis since winning the US Open in 2021.
She won both her ties in the Billie Jean King Cup last weekend and come through two matches this week in Germany, beating Angelique Kerber and Linda Noskova.
But she faces a daunting task today in the shape of Swiatek, who is a two-time winner of the French Open. The two players met two years ago at the same stage in Stuttgart and Raducanu says she will come into it with no fear.
She said: “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.”
Raducanu has struggled for form and confidence up until the past week after an injury-hit 2023 but she insists she 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.
“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.”
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