Emma Raducanu in the quarter-final in the 2021 US Open in New York
Emma Raducanu in the quarter-final in the 2021 US Open in New York | (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Tennis | Australian Open 2022 | Emma Raducanu opens against Sloane Stephens in a battle of the US Open champions

By Ros Satar

  • Emma Raducanu [17] v Sloane Stephens
  • H2H: First Meeting
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Emma Raducanu finds herself fighting to get back to fitness and form as the first Slam of the year rolls around.

 

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Emma Raducanu [17] v Sloane Stephens | H2H: First Meeting

So far, the introduction to full tour life has been a bit of a baptism of fire with just one win to Emma Raducanu‘s name since storming to her remarkable maiden Slam at the US Open last year. Getting Covid-19 before the start of the Mubadala World Tennis Championships saw her struggle for a few days.

She pulled out of the first week of competition because she did not feel ready, and we could argue that she still wasn’t ready when she faced Elena Rybakina – fresh off the back of a run to the Adelaide final. Throughout all these minor setbacks, Raducanu has remained pragmatic in not putting too much pressure on herself.

 

H2H & Match Fundamentals

Emma Raducanu [17] v Sloane Stephens H2H: First Meeting
Australian Open Melbourne, Australia
Hard (O) Prize Money: A$90,000
TBC Discovery+ Add-on via Amazon Prime

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Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2021 – Hard)

Embed from Getty Images

H2H: Emma Raducanu (WR 18) Sloane Stephens (68)
Tournament Previous Best Debut SF (2013)
1st Serve Return Points Won % 44.3 32.3
Return Points Won % 49.1 40
Break Point Conversion % 40.2 44.1
Break Points Saved % 60.8 55.2
Total Points Won % 54.8 47.8

It as a strange year for Sloane Stephens – she started slow with nothing much to write home about in Australia or the spring hard court swing, but seemed to come back during the clay court season, reaching the fourth round at the French Open.

But she picked up just one win in the autumn swings on the tour with just one back to back win at the US Open. Having gotten married on New Year’s day, Stephens has yet to take to the court on the tour.

Raducanu only falls short in terms of converting on her chances compared to Stephens last year.

 

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Playing Styles & Prediction

Raducanu’s attacking style of play caught a lot of people off guard, and she backs that up with great movement, speed and more importantly anticipation. Stephens (certainly at her best) can match the Brit for her athleticism around the court and perhaps is just a little bit more adaptable in terms of being able to switch from attack to defensive play.

Look to Stephens to try and frustrate Raducanu into errors by patiently constructing her points. It is a hard one to call for a first match of a Slam but given Raducanu has been at least out on the court, might have a tiny edge, but it would surprise no-one if this was a three set war of attrition.

Prediction: Raducanu in three sets.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow the Australian Open 2022

TV Eurosport & highlights on BBC
Live Stream Eurosport/Discovery+ Player via Amazon Prime

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