Emma RADUCANU continues superb clay court streak with dominant Linda NOSKOVA win at Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

Britain’s tennis star Emma Raducanu continued her journey in the Stuttgart Open after registering another straight-set win. The former world number 10 defeated the Czech Republic’s Linda Noskova in the round of 16 clash with a score of 6-0, 7-5 on Thursday.

The one-time Grand Slam winner started the contest strongly as she won the first set without losing a game. In the process, she broke the service of her opponent three times as well. Things were far more competitive in the second but she eventually came out on top with a sole break to claim the tie in a closely fought set to book her place in the last eight where she will face the current world number one Poland’s Iga Swiatek. The 22-year-old booked her place in the quarterfinal of the mega-event after beating Belgium’s Elise Mertens in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

It is a first Quarter-Final in 18 months for Raducanu and in a sport where she is often revered as the leading light commercially, it is a great sight to see her back towards her best. On clay too, she has shown great form as of late.

The 21-year-old has often been regarded as one of the most highly-rated players currently playing in the women’s singles category. She broke onto the scene in 2021 when she won the US Open after beating Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Since then, Raducanu has struggled with fitness concerns. It was because of this reason she ended up missing three out of four Grand Slams in the 2023 season. The Toronto-born returned to full fitness earlier this year and has recently played a key role in helping Great Britain secure a place in the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup after beating France.