In a highly anticipated third round clash at the Australian Open, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek put on a dominant performance to dispatch 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-1, 6-0. The 22-year-old Polish star, who has been a force on the WTA tour in recent years, needed just 55 minutes to secure her spot in the fourth round.
Swiatek’s Relentless Assault
From the very first game, it was clear that Swiatek was in top form. She broke Raducanu’s serve immediately and never let up, pressuring the young Brit with her powerful groundstrokes and precise shot-making.
“I knew I had to be really focused from the beginning and put pressure on Emma. That was the key today,” Swiatek said after the match.
— Iga Swiatek
Raducanu Struggles to Find Rhythm
For Raducanu, it was a frustrating day on the court. The 20-year-old, who has battled injuries and inconsistency since her breakthrough US Open title, struggled to find any rhythm against Swiatek’s relentless attack.
“She played a great match and I just couldn’t quite get into it,” Raducanu admitted in her post-match press conference. “But credit to her, she didn’t let me play my game at all.”
Swiatek’s Dominance Continues
With the win, Swiatek extends her impressive run of form in Grand Slams. The four-time French Open champion and 2022 US Open winner has now reached at least the fourth round in her last 11 major appearances.
- Swiatek has won 6 of the last 10 Grand Slam tournaments
- She boasts a 92% win rate in Grand Slam matches since 2021
Many are already speculating that Swiatek could be on track for a historic season in 2025, with the possibility of a calendar Grand Slam not out of the question given her current level of play. If she can maintain this dominance, she would join rare company in the annals of tennis history.
Looking Ahead
For now, Swiatek will turn her focus to the fourth round, where she will face either Victoria Azarenka or Katie Volynets. While neither player is likely to pose as big a threat as Raducanu on paper, Swiatek knows she can’t let her guard down.
“I’m just taking it one match at a time. I need to stay focused and keep playing my game,” she said, already looking ahead to her next challenge.
— Iga Swiatek
As for Raducanu, it’s back to the drawing board as she looks to regain the form that saw her shock the tennis world just a few years ago. While the loss to Swiatek was undoubtedly disappointing, she remains one of the brightest young stars in the game and will no doubt be back in the mix at future Grand Slams.
But on this day in Melbourne, it was Swiatek’s turn to shine as she took another step towards cementing her status as the most dominant force in women’s tennis. With potentially many years still ahead of her, one can only wonder just how many more Grand Slam titles she will add to her already impressive haul.
