Focused Emma Raducanu battles past Amanda Anisimova, sets up blockbuster clash with Iga Swiatek

Emma Raducanu overcame a tough challenge against Amanda Anisimova to set up a third-round clash with Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. The 2021 US Open champion faced a difficult test against the talented American World No. 35 but delivered her best tennis, rallying from a break down in the second set to secure a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The former World No. 10 surpassed her previous three-year record of second-round exits, earning back-to-back wins in Melbourne for the first time. She now faces the 5-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, aiming to reverse a 0-3 head-to-head record.

Raducanu overcomes tough Anisimova test

It was anticipated as one of the matches of the day, despite featuring two unseeded players. The former US Open champion had to prove she could aim for deep runs in Grand Slams and faced one of the biggest American talents of her generation, current World No. 35 Amanda Anisimova.

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In the first set, both players secured early breaks, leveling the score at 1-1. The fourth game was a long one, with Raducanu saving up to four break points before Anisimova converted her fifth opportunity to take a 3-1 lead. From that point on, Raducanu gathered momentum, improving her precision from the baseline and becoming a constant threat, especially when Anisimova played on her second serve.

Raducanu went on a streak of five consecutive games to turn the set around, not by creating a wide gap but by playing better in key moments. The Brit outperformed Anisimova on both her first and second serves, saving 7 of 9 break points against her while converting all four chances she created herself.

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Anisimova had a brilliant start to the second set, breaking twice early to take a 3-0 lead during Raducanu’s most hesitant moments on court. However, Raducanu showed courage, recovering from a double-break deficit to level the score.

The American was on the edge of the precipice as Raducanu made her comeback. Following a break in Anisimova's favour that gave her a 4-3 lead, the American was ahead 30-0 on her serve, but Raducanu won a streak of consecutive points, breaking back and taking a 5-4 lead. The pressure shifted to the American, who had to take risks in the 10th game when Raducanu seemed ready to break again and secure the win.

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Despite Anisimova's efforts, it wasn’t enough. Raducanu converted her first match point in the 12th game to avoid a tiebreak, sealing the victory 6-3, 7-5. Anisimova was much more aggressive than her rival throughout the second set, with 19 winners and 26 unforced errors compared to Raducanu’s 5 winners and 9 unforced errors, which proved sufficient for the Brit to secure her second victory in Melbourne and advance to the third round.

Raducanu has faced Swiatek twice on the clay courts of Stuttgart (2022, 2024) and once in the round of 16 at Indian Wells, their only encounter on hard courts. Raducanu has yet to take a set from the Pole, who comes into this match inspired after demolishing World No. 49 Rebecca Sramkova 6-0, 6-2 in just one hour of play.

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