Swiatek reaches Stuttgart semis in straight-sets win over Raducanu

The world No 1 is continuing to dominate as she extends her remarkable winning run

Iga Swiatek of Poland in action during the second round of the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix WTA 500 tennis tournament against Eva Lys of Germany (Zuma/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

April 22, 2022

Stuttgart Porsche Tennis Grand Prix | Draw | Order of play

Iga Swiatek’s amazing streak continued as she beat US Open champion Emma Raducanu to reach the semi-finals of the Stuttgart Open, 6-4, 6-4.

It was her 21st consecutive victory – but the 19-year-old certainly had her chances in a match that gave Swiatek rather more of a test over the course of one hour and 45 minutes than she had had in recent months.

Raducanu stayed very nearly in touch with the world No 1 from the outset, but an early break was what cost her; Swiatek allowed little on her own serve, and served out to love to seal the first set 6-4.

That was the 27th set she had won in a row.

And the 28th looked like it might be not too long in coming as they exchanged breaks at the start of the second set, interspersed with Raducanu receiving some treatment on court for what seemed to be a lower back injury.

Raducanu battled on, though, continuing to test her first-ever opponent ranked in the Top 10.

Swiatek – Stuttgart is never routine

Swiatek’s game was aggressive if slightly off-balance on Friday, hitting 28 winners compared to 36 unforced errors, and took three out of four break points.

She will now play Ludmilla Samsonova in the semi-final, with Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa meeting in the other.

“Playing here is never routine,” admitted Swiatek afterwards. “The surface is really tricky. I’m using every minute on it to get to know it and get more experience. I’m happy that today’s match was longer.

“Right now I want to play really aggressively. This game style will suit the surface.”