{"id":15073,"date":"2024-01-04T09:07:25","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T14:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/emma-raducanu-says-there-is-a-lot-more-to-come-after-encouraging-auckland-defeat-to-elina-svitolina-tennis-news\/04\/01\/2024\/"},"modified":"2024-01-04T09:07:25","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T14:07:25","slug":"emma-raducanu-says-there-is-a-lot-more-to-come-after-encouraging-auckland-defeat-to-elina-svitolina-tennis-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/emma-raducanu-says-there-is-a-lot-more-to-come-after-encouraging-auckland-defeat-to-elina-svitolina-tennis-news\/04\/01\/2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Emma Raducanu says there is ‘a lot more to come’ after encouraging Auckland defeat to Elina Svitolina | Tennis News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n<\/p>\n

\n

Emma Raducanu says her comeback performances after an eight-month injury layoff have given her “a lot of confidence” and that there is “a lot more to come” as she prepares for the Australian Open.<\/p>\n

After marking her return with victory against Elena-Gabriela Ruse on Tuesday, Raducanu was denied a quarter-final place in Auckland by second seed Elina Svitoliva on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Raducanu won the opening set producing the sort of stunning form she showed on her way to winning the US Open as a qualifier in 2021 but could not close out the match in a second-set tiebreak, before Svitolina’s superior conditioning told in a one-sided decider.<\/p>\n

Having recovered from surgeries on both of her wrists and her left ankle, the 21-year-old Brit was buoyed by having pushed the 2023 WTA Comeback Player of the Year so close.<\/p>\n

“I think I can take away that my level was pretty high for two sets, two long sets which lasted like two hours and 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Emma Raducanu hits a lovely drop shot to take the first set against second seed Elina Svitolina.<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

“I’m pretty proud of how quickly I was able to get my level up to be able to compete with Elina.<\/p>\n

“I think that she gives you nothing. You really have to win the match and win the sets and I think I did that really well in the first set and then in the second set I had a few chances in the breaker. I did the exact same, I went for my shots, which got me the first set, but I just missed them, so that was it.”<\/p>\n

Svitolina, who ended 2023 as one of the form players on the tour having returned to action after giving birth, compared the level of the contest to her stunning quarter-final victory over world no. 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon last year.<\/p>\n

“I’m pretty pleased that she compared it to that,” Raducanu said. “I know it’s the start of a very long season for me and I’m looking forward to reflecting on the year and having this as a starting point.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n


\n \"Emma
\n <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Highlights of Emma Raducanu’s match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse at the Auckland Classic.<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

“Of course it does (give me confidence).<\/p>\n

“With the limited time I’ve had in comparison to her, and in the gym, she’s been around a long time and achieved so much and I think she’s known on tour as one of the physically best players out there and end of second set and third set I don’t think I really saw a second serve, so she really raised it when it mattered.<\/p>\n

“But it for sure gives me a lot of confidence and looking forward to in time with more matches, more practice, more gym sessions, seeing where I can go from there.”<\/p>\n

During her time in Auckland, Raducanu received the significant boost of being promoted from the qualifying to the main draw at the Australian Open following withdrawals by other players.<\/p>\n

Despite having looked weary in the final set and playing the entire match with strapping on her right leg, Raducanu appeared confident of continuing her progress over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"Emma\n <\/div>
\n Image:<\/span>
\n Raducanu wore strapping on her right leg during her loss to Svitolina
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

“It’s of course pretty exciting for me. I’ve only played two matches and also my court time has been pretty limited.<\/p>\n

I’ve been training the last few months at the LTA, but I had a few setbacks with my wrists and ankles. So to be back up to speed after so little is a great sign.<\/p>\n

“Of course I’m disappointed about today because I was a few points away and had a few forehands mid-court, but at least I took them. I think I’d regret it more if I just pushed it in and let her hit a winner, so at least it was on my terms.<\/p>\n

“I’m looking forward to this season, it’s just the beginning. It’s week one – a lot more to come.”<\/p>\n

Watch Coco Gauff at the Auckland Classic and Rafael Nadal at the Brisbane International live on Sky Sports<\/em> through until Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Emma Raducanu says her comeback performances after an eight-month injury layoff have given her “a lot of confidence” and that there is