By Tony Fairbairn
- Emma Raducanu [WC] def Angelique Kerber [WC] 6-2 6-1
- Raducanu v Linda Noskova | H2H: Raducanu leads 1-0
STUTTGART, GERMANY – Emma Raducanu thrashed Angelique Kerber to set up a second round meeting with Linda Noskova in Stuttgart.
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Emma Raducanu [WC] def Angelique Kerber [WC] 6-2 6-1
Emma Raducanu continued her good from the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers as she dismantled two-time champion Angelique Kerber. The Brit only lost three games in the contest and showed her intent early by breaking in the opening game with some clinical returning.
Nothing was going to come completely easy for Raducanu though as Kerber showed her quality from the baseline to break back in the following game. The German then produced some clutch play to fend off three break points in the next game. However when it came to the fourth break point, Raducanu fired a sizzling cross-court return winner to seal the break back at 2-1.
The former US Open champion was in confident mood as she fired consistent forehand winners and showed her quality on serve. After saving break points in the fifth game with some effective point construction, Raducanu sealed a deadly double break advantage to take a 5-2 lead. A composed Raducanu then fired down one of four aces in the match to complete the opening set in 41 minutes.
There was more of the same from Raducanu at the start of the second set as she broke in the opening game. However a resilient and fired up Kerber wasn’t giving up without a fight as she broke back on her seventh break point with some incredible court coverage. The good news for Kerber was that she broke back, the bad news was that was the only game she won in the set as Raducanu produced some stunning defence to fend off Kerber’s attacking play.
A Kerber forehand into the net sealed a run of three consecutive breaks of serve as Raducanu demolished the multiple-time Grand Slam champion to reach the second round.
H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Emma Raducanu [WC] v Linda Noskova | H2H: Raducanu leads 1-0 |
| WTA Stuttgart 2024 | Stuttgart, Germany |
| Indoor Clay | Prize Money: $11,925 |
| Fourth on Centre Court (Not before 17:30 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Next for Raducanu will be talented Czech Republican Linda Noskova who knocked out Jelena Ostapenko in the previous round.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Emma Raducanu (WR 303) | Linda Noskova (WR 31) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Quarter-Final (2022) | N/A |
| 1st Serve Return Points Won % | 37.4 | 35 |
| Return Points Won % | 43.4 | 40.8 |
| Break Point Conversion % | 39.1 | 42.9 |
| Break Points Saved % | 57.5 | 60 |
| Overall Service Points Won % | 58 | 61.9 |
Noskova has been very impressive on serve this season so Raducanu will need to raise her level on return in order to match the Czech Republican’s level.
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Playing styles and prediction
After reaching her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open, Noskova has struggled to back up her form as she gets used to the new expectation that is placed on her shoulders. Now Noskova looks to rediscover her consistency and form ahead of Roland Garros.
Raducanu will continue to dictate play from return but will need to use depth in order to neutralize Noskova’s power. As proved in her match against Ostapenko, Noskova is more than capable of outhitting the most powerful players in the world and will continue to use the forehand to test Raducanu’s defensive play. This will be a tough test for Raducanu and will determine where her level is truly at heading into Roland Garros.
Prediction: Noskova in three sets.
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