Emma Raducanu in the third round of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, USA
Emma Raducanu in the third round of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, USA | (Photo by Mike Frey/Getty Images)

Tennis | WTA Stuttgart 2023 | Raducanu plays for the first time since Miami, and takes on Jelena Ostapenko

By Ros Satar

  • Emma Raducanu [WC] v Jelena Ostapenko
  • H2H: Ostapenko leads 1-0
STUTTGART, GERMANY – Emma Raducanu returns to the tour for the first time since Miami, as she faces Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart.

 

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Emma Raducanu [WC] v Jelena Ostapenko | H2H & Match Fundamentals

Hopefully over her latest injury scares during the US hard court Spring swing, the fast slick indoor clay of Stuttgart sets Emma Raducanu up with a tricky opening against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

 

Emma Raducanu v Jelena Ostapenko H2H: Ostapenko leads 1-0
WTA Stuttgart Germany
Clay (I) Prize Money: €7,234
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Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2023)

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H2H: Emma Raducanu (WR 68) Jelena Ostapenko (WR 22)
Tournament Previous Best QF (2022) QF (2018)
1st Serve Return Points Won % 34.5 38.6
Return Points Won % 42.6 45.2
Break Point Conversion % 37.3 46.4
Break Points Saved % 61.0 52.4
Total Points Won % 51.1 51.3

Given how little Raducanu has played this year, compared to Ostapenko, she stacks up relatively well, especially with break points saved.

 

 

Playing Styles & Prediction

On the slick indoor surface. Raducanu’s naturally aggressive game means she should be able to dominate nice and early, but her injury-prone year won’t be helped by the speed of the clay indoors.

Thankfully both will have to quickly adjust as for Ostapenko too, it is her first foray onto clay. Both play aggressive tennis, and Ostapenko can have patience to build up the point, while Raducanu will quickly figure things out on court.

After a good start to the year with the Australian Open quarter-final, Ostapenko has struggled to get any further but has had more court time that Raducanu, whose injury woes have continued this year with a rolled ankle at the start of the year, and continuing wrist issues.

Prediction: Ostapenko in three sets.

 

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