Trying on the larger image, Raducanu has made encouraging strides over the previous three months.
The 2021 US Open champion has climbed again into the world’s high 50 after an injury-hit couple of years, exhibiting progress by reaching the Miami Open quarter-finals and the Italian Open final 16.
That has been a advantage of taking part in with extra freedom since appointing Mark Petchey as her coach in an “casual” association in March.
In opposition to Swiatek, although, she was unable to do this.
Whereas a extra inflexible strategy was brought about partly by Swiatek’s depth of return and talent to vary angles, Raducanu’s ball-striking was additionally properly beneath her greatest.
Sticking within the rallies with Swiatek was a tricky process and demonstrated how tough Raducanu nonetheless finds returning ball after ball in opposition to the depth of the highest stars.
It was the same story in opposition to American world quantity two Coco Gauff on the Rome clay earlier this month.
Whereas Raducanu has undoubtedly made progress together with her resilience, the very fact she has solely gained three of her 14 profession matches in opposition to top-10 gamers signifies she nonetheless has additional to go.
Clay just isn’t her pure floor, it should be remembered, and beating Swiatek on the purple grime is without doubt one of the most tough challenges within the sport.
Raducanu will now flip her attentions to the grass-court season, beginning with a house WTA event at Queen’s, which begins in lower than a fortnight.
