Emma Raducanu has challenged herself not to collapse again in a similar fashion during her defeat to Elina Svitolina at the Auckland Classic. The Brit was in top form to begin the match but struggled the longer it went on, before going down 6-1 in the third set as she narrowly avoided a bagel on just her second match back from injury.
“When you play someone like Elina, it’s very difficult to train at that level and train like that for three and a half hours,” Raducanu told New Zealand press. “Even if you practise like that for three hours, it’s not the same as having to make your first serve every time, if not, she’s on the second.
“So I’m pretty pleased she compared it to that [match against Iga Swiatek]. I know it’s the start of a long season for me and I’m looking forward to reflecting on the year and having this as a starting point.
“My intensity just dropped and I need to learn to maintain that better for longer if I’m going to compete with these players for three sets. For two sets it was great, but you can’t win all of the matches in two sets. If you want to go toe to toe for three, the intensity needs to be higher for longer.
“The first match (against Elena-Gabriela Ruse) I was a bit shaky. I think comparing the levels between the first match and this match, it’s a big difference and that’s just two matches in a long time, eight months.
“So I’m really pleased. I love the atmosphere today, it was pretty insane, we had some really good points in the first and second set and it was amazing to have the support here in Auckland, but also back home in London.
“I know a lot of my friends and people have been waking up early, to watch and support. So I’m glad to be back and feeling the energy of the crowds.”
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