Emma Raducanu managed solely a single recreation in opposition to second seed Iga Swiatek as she misplaced 11 in a row in a 6-1 6-0 hammering within the third spherical of the Australian Open on Rod Laver Area.
It equalled the defeat she suffered to Elena Rybakina at a WTA Tour occasion in Sydney three years in the past.
The one earlier time Raducanu had performed on Melbourne Park’s principal area was in opposition to Coco Gauff two years in the past, when she acquitted herself effectively, however Swiatek was merely far too good.
“I think it was a match going into it I knew I had to play really well,” mentioned Raducanu, who’s but to win a set in 4 matches in opposition to Swiatek.
“I feel right this moment, credit score to Iga, she performed good tennis, however I feel it was somewhat little bit of her enjoying effectively and me not enjoying so effectively. That mixture might be not good and resulted in right this moment.
“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 event with no warm-up matches following a again spasm – which flared up once more throughout her second-round win over Amanda Anisimova – a third-round exhibiting, Raducanu’s greatest right here, is on no account a catastrophe.
She highlighted her function the important thing space she must work on if she is to get nearer to the highest gamers after being damaged 16 instances in six units and hitting 24 double faults.
“Three weeks ago when I was in Auckland I was doing pool rehab,” mentioned the 22-year-old, the one British lady to achieve the final 32.
“I think to be on a tennis court playing matches and competing is something I have to be grateful for.
“I began hitting once I got here right here 18 days in the past. I’ve to take a optimistic that I used to be capable of beat two prime opponents within the first two rounds. However I feel right this moment, no excuses of the again or bodily.
“I think the thing I want to improve is serving. The first two matches I got away with it against two top players because I was able to defend and move, use the rest of my game.
“If I am not essentially capable of maintain my service video games or dictate, I really feel prefer it seeps into the remainder of my recreation.”
Swiatek was so slow coming out to serve that she was given a time violation before the match began, but thereafter the Pole was a woman in a hurry, with the hot, sunny conditions giving her heavy shots even more pop.
The Brit dug in well to hold serve in her opening game but that proved to be as good as it got, with Swiatek virtually flawless while Raducanu could not land enough first serves.
Her backhand, usually one of her best assets, was also breaking down and Raducanu looked like she could not wait to get off the court after the 70-minute demolition.
Swiatek is a famously good entrance runner, and that is the twenty sixth match during which she has recorded a 6-0 set at a Grand Slam – against this, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has managed it simply 9 instances.
“I played a few shots that I thought afterwards this is what I practise for,” mentioned the second seed, who’s bidding for a primary Australian Open title.
“I felt like the ball is listening to me. All the tactics and everything I wanted to do, I was able to. So I just kept going. This match was kind of perfect for me.
“I would not say I am ruthless. I simply attempt to have the identical type of angle and identical type of focus it doesn’t matter what the rating is. But it surely’s not like I wish to present one thing. I am simply enjoying my recreation. If it is working, why cease?”
Raducanu was pleased with how she dealt with the event regardless of the scoreline and is keen to get straight again to work, along with her subsequent event scheduled to be in Singapore in simply over every week – stay on Sky Sports activities Tennis.
“I think one of my goals for this year is to just be consistent, ride with it,” she mentioned.
“My team will probably tell me to take it easy. I feel like I’ve got pretty good things to work on and feedback. I’ll probably just want to get into that as soon as possible.
“I really feel like I am talking from a fairly rational place. I am not essentially too emotional both manner.”
“I would not say I am ruthless,” said Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion and the 2022 US Open winner. “I simply attempt to have the identical type of angle and identical type of focus it doesn’t matter what the rating is.
“But it’s not like I want to, you know, show something. I’m just playing my game. If it’s working, why stop? I’ve also seen many matches when someone was back being down like 2-5 or something. You always have to just keep going. It’s not over till it’s over.”
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina joined Swiatek within the final 16 with a 6-3 6-4 win over Dayana Yastremska, however solely after receiving therapy on her again, whereas eighth seed Emma Navarro and ninth seed Daria Kasatkina additionally superior.
German Eva Lys turned the primary fortunate loser to achieve the ladies’s fourth spherical since 1988 when she beat Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 4-6 6-3 6-3, her reward a date with Swiatek.
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