Emma Raducanu: Brit enjoys Iga Swiatek showdown at Australian Open | Tennis news

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Emma Raducanu believes she has “nothing to lose” as she prepares for a clash with former world No.1 Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Australian Open.

Raducanu overcame back problems to defeat stunning Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5 and reach the last 32 for the first time in Melbourne.

The 22-year-old is back in the third round of a hard court Grand Slam for the first time since winning the 2021 US Open.

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Raducanu beat Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5 after overcoming back problems

“I love it. It’s another opportunity to test my game,” Raducanu said ahead of his clash with world no. 2 Swiatek Saturday.

“Obviously, I think she (Swiatek) has already accomplished so much and I think going into it, I have nothing to lose. I just want to swing. I want to do my best and I can don’t wait to play in front of you.

“She’s a top player, she’s been really consistent over the last couple of years. So it’s going to be a game for me where I feel like I don’t really have high expectations from the outside.

Emma Raducanu celebrates after defeating Amanda Anisimova in their second round match at the Australian Open
Picture:
Raducanu celebrates after defeating Anisimova in their second round match in Melbourne

“I think you always have the pressure you put on yourself to perform at your best, which isn’t really going to change, but it’s every game.

“I’m looking forward to going out there and testing my game against the best because at the end of the day you play tennis and you live for these matches. It’s going to be a big rush of adrenaline.”

Raducanu stressed she would take a relaxed approach to preparations for her meeting with the Pole, who wasted little time in beating Slovakian Rebecca Sramkova 6-0 6-2 on Thursday.

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Swiatek becomes the highest-ranked player Raducanu has ever faced at a Grand Slam, and she has yet to win a set in three meetings with her.

“I think I’ll probably just take it easy (on Friday),” she said. “I’ll probably get a light hit. Nothing crazy.

“I played a lot of tennis today and two days ago, so I don’t think I need to overdo it on the practice court. Just to keep the body ticking a little bit and just really recover.”

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Swiatek is 59 places above Raducanu in the world rankings, but said: “There is no point in looking at the rankings, especially when you have these great players who have already been through great tournaments and won some tournaments.

“You know they can play well.”

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