Emma Raducanu delivered a confident and powerful performance on Monday, defeating world number 17 Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-3 to move into the last 16 of her latest tournament.
The British number two, currently ranked 43rd in the world, was handed a late wildcard into the event and made the most of it. She had lost all three of her previous matches against Kasatkina without winning a set, but turned the tables in style this time.
The 22-year-old will next face American Danielle Collins as she continues her clay-court preparations for the French Open, which begins this Sunday.
“I’m really proud of my performance,” said Raducanu after the win. “I was very aggressive, and I kept my focus when the second set got tight. I feel like I’ve been building toward this. As I spend more time on clay, I’m beginning to like it more.”
Raducanu returned to action in Madrid last month after taking a physical and mental break following her Miami Open quarter-final run in March. That break helped her recharge before starting her clay season. After a second-round exit in Madrid, she reached the fourth round in Rome—winning three straight matches on clay for the first time in her career.
Her latest victory over Kasatkina is another clear sign that Raducanu is peaking at just the right time before heading to Paris for her second French Open appearance. In her only previous showing at Roland Garros in 2022, she reached the second round.
The match started with both players exchanging early breaks in a shaky opening. But Raducanu quickly found her rhythm, holding serve comfortably and using her power to control the rallies. Kasatkina, struggling with her serve, failed to win a single service game throughout the match.
Raducanu raced through the first set, winning five straight games to take it 6-1.
The second set was more challenging. After holding serve in the opening game, Raducanu and Kasatkina traded seven straight breaks. But the Brit stayed composed, finishing with a brilliant backhand winner down the line and sealing victory on her fourth match point.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is currently working informally with coach Mark Petchey, a former mentor to Andy Murray. She has been without a full-time coach since January.
Elsewhere, fellow Brit Harriet Dart was knocked out in the first round of French Open qualifying. She lost 6-1, 6-2 to 21-year-old Ukrainian Anastasiya Soboleva. Heather Watson and Francesca Jones will start their own qualifying matches on Tuesday, aiming to join Raducanu, Katie Boulter, and Sonay Kartal in the main draw.
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