Emma Raducanu set for first-round clash with Angelique Kerber in Stuttgart after Billie Jean King Cup heroics
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Published 15/04/2024 at 09:41 GMT
Emma Raducanu will face Angelique Kerber in the opening round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where she will be eager to kick on from her heroics for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup, where she inspired her team to a stunning 3-1 win over France. Three-time Grand Slam champion Kerber won in Stuttgart in 2015 and 2016 and will be a tough test for Raducanu.
Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts in her match against Diane Parry of France
Image credit: Eurosport
Emma Raducanu will face Angelique Kerber in the opening round of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
Former world No. 1 Kerber and Raducanu are set for a first-round clash after both were handed a wild card.
The German three-time Grand Slam champion - in her comeback season on tour after giving birth - won in Stuttgart in 2015 and 2016, and will play at the Porsche Tennis Arena for the first time since 2022.
Raducanu heads to Stuttgart fresh from producing a dazzling comeback win over Diane Parry and beating favourite Caroline Garcia, inspiring Great Britain to victory over France in the Billie Jean King Cup on Saturday.
The 21-year-old seems to have finally found the form that has largely eluded her since winning the US Open in 2021 in spectacular fashion at 18, with injuries and multiple changes to her coaching staff playing a part.
“To be able to put two matches like that back-to-back, three sets and on clay against really tough opponents, it’s just a testament to the work we’ve been doing,” Raducanu said after fending off Parry.
“I knew it would pay off eventually, so I’m very pleased that this weekend it was able to show."
Raducanu feels her display at Le Portel is the "best tennis” of her life.
“Tennis-wise I have improved because I feel like I am playing the best tennis of my career and my life so I’m very pleased with that,” Raducanu said.
"And emotionally, mentally, for me to come through the moments that I did the last few days, it took a lot of strong character, especially when the entire stadium is pretty much against you. I can just take a lot of positivity and I really enjoyed this week.
“To come through the moments that I did the last two days it took a strong character when the whole stadium is pretty much against you.”
Raducanu will be hoping her form at the Billie Jean King Cup and time on clay courts will stand her in good stead in Stuttgart, with her confidence clearly flowing.
If she makes it past Kerber, a rematch with Jelena Ostapenko could await in round two. Ostapenko hammered Raducanu 6-2 6-1 in Stuttgart a year ago, shortly before she underwent surgery.
A third-round clash would likely be against two-time defending champion Iga Swiatek, who has a first-round bye alongside fellow top-four seeds Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina.
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