In a tense and exciting quarter-final match at the Stuttgart Open, world No 1 Iga Swiatek faced off against former US Open champion Emma Raducanu. The gruelling battle culminated in Swiatek emerging triumphant with a 7-6 (2), 6-3 win, cementing her place in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year.
The intense encounter saw Raducanu giving Swiatek a challenging competition, particularly in the first set. The Briton demonstrated her resilience by steadfastly defending her serves and successfully saving eight out of the eleven break points she encountered. She even managed to break Swiatek in the opening game. Despite a noticeable decrease in energy, Raducanu refused to concede defeat in the second set, resulting in a gripping showdown.
This win extended Swiatek’s unbeaten record against Raducanu to 3-0. Nonetheless, it was unquestionably the closest and most hard-fought match between the two players.
Following her victory, Swiatek is now slated to compete against Kazakh Elena Rybakina, the No 4 seed. The 22-year-old Pole’s journey to the semi-finals involved a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Belgian Elise Mertens in the previous round.
Meanwhile, Raducanu, ranked No 303, showcased her prowess in the earlier rounds of the Stuttgart Open, securing wins against German wildcard Angelique Kerber with a score of 6-2, 6-1, and Linda Noskova with a score of 6-0, 7-5.
In addition to the thrilling showdown between Swiatek and Raducanu, other captivating quarter-final matches at the Stuttgart Open included Marta Kostyuk vs. Coco Gauff, and Marketa Vondrousova defeating Aryna Sabalenka (2) with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Elena Rybakina also secured her spot in the semi-finals with a hard-fought victory over Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
The Stuttgart Open continues to showcase breathtaking tennis matches, captivating fans as they witness some of the world’s top players competing at the Porsche-Arena. With the semi-finals and finals on the horizon, the excitement and anticipation for further enthralling tennis action are palpable.