‘I’m in a really good space’ – Emma Raducanu rediscovers US Open form
The British number one Emma Raducanu has admitted she feels that she is playing her best tennis since the US Open as she claimed she feels like herself again.
On Sunday, the 19-year-old moved into the last 16 of the WTA 1000 event in Madrid as she put on a dominant display against fellow teen Marta Kostyuk to win 6-2, 6-1.
The result meant that the British number one is into the last 16 without dropping a set and has won two matches on the bounce since her split with German coach Torben Beltz.
The win took Raducanu to a 5-2 record on clay – which is made even more remarkable as she only played her first ever tour-level match on clay last month.
Reflecting on her convincing victory, Emma Raducanu discussed her performances feeling like she was back to her best.
“It definitely meant a lot, because just over the last six months, I’ve definitely gone through a lot of challenges and I feel like now in the recent weeks, I’ve definitely come to terms and have started enjoying the journey.
“It is just coming back from getting knocked down again and again and again. And then finally, you feel like you’re yourself again. Is it the best I have played since September? Yeah I feel like I’ve been practicing really well in the last few weeks and definitely brought a lot of confidence from that.
“I just thought to myself, just looking at my level on the practice court like: ‘Why don’t you just replicate it on the match court and swing as freely and go for your shots as much’ and I definitely feel like I’m in a really good space with my tennis.”
The US Open champion Raducanu is set to face on another Ukrainian in Anhelina Kalinina for a place in the quarter-finals.
The world number 37 beat home crowd favorite and former world number one Garbine Muguruza in her second round match, meaning half of the 16 seeds in the women’s draw are already out after just two rounds of play.
As a result, it also means that Raducanu is the highest seed left in her side of the draw, making her the rankings favorite to advance to the semi-finals from her section.
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