Emma Raducanu takes Daniil Medvedev inspiration to win 'shootout' and set up Iga Swiatek clash at Indian Wells
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Updated 14/03/2023 at 08:51 GMT
Emma Raducanu came through a hard-fought clash with Beatriz Haddad Maia to set up a meeting with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at Indian Wells. Raducanu, 20, said she took inspiration from Daniil Medvedev to come through the deciding set and also spoke about her wrist injury and how she is managing it. Swiatek beat Raducanu when they met for the first time last year.
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Emma Raducanu said she took inspiration from Daniil Medvedev after “resetting” to come through a tough three-set clash with Beatriz Haddad Maia at Indian Wells.
Raducanu produced arguably her best display since winning the 2021 US Open as she beat the 13th seed 6-1 2-6 6-4 to reach the fourth round, where she will play world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu broke twice in an impressive first-set performance, only for Haddad Maia to recover and level the contest at one-set all.
In a high quality deciding set it was Raducanu who wrestled back control and sealed victory.
“I started off really strongly, and a small dip in intensity or focus can just lead to a 6-2 set, as you saw,” said the British No. 1.
“You just have to reset in the third, and it’s really just a shootout, and it’s almost easier to just think, ‘OK, like one set, everything you’ve got, really go for it’.
“But you see it happen a lot in tennis. Like, I saw it last night with Medvedev. I guess I took maybe some inspiration from him doing that.”
Medvedev had been pushed to three sets the previous night by Ilya Ivashka in the third round but raced through the decider to seal the win.
Raducanu described her win as “pretty amazing”.
The British No. 1 came into the tournament with doubts over her fitness due to a wrist injury, but has played some of her best tennis since her shock US Open win.
“I think I played a really high level at some points of the match,” she reflected.
“I think that I played extremely well in the first set and in the third set, as well. There were some really good points and moments. I think overall the level increased in the third, and it was a battle from both of us.
“I think I did a really good job mentally of just staying [in the points] — keep hitting through the shots and trying to be committing to everything, even when it’s tight."
Asked about her wrist injury following the three-set win, Raducanu added: “I actually feel pretty good.
“I have been managing my wrists, obviously. But that’s something that I’m continuing to manage, and I’m doing everything off the court to try and make them in the best possible place to compete.
“So far we are on top of it. So, yeah, I’m able to do well out there.”
Raducanu will be meeting Swiatek for the second time after they also played on clay in Stuttgart in 2022.
Swiatek won that encounter in straight sets.
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