Emma Raducanu recorded her best result in 19 months as she reached the quarter-final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The world No. 303 continued her red-hot run in Stuttgart to beat Linda Noskova 6-0 7-5 and set up a mouthwatering showdown with Iga Swiatek. The pair faced off at the same stage here two years ago, with the world No. 1 coming out on top.
Raducanu and Noskova were facing off for the second time, with the Brit winning their only previous meeting 6-7 7-5 6-1 in the first round of the French Open in 2022. After getting a statement win over Angelique Kerber on Wednesday night, Raducanu raised some concerns when she stepped onto the court for her second match with tape on her left knee.
But she quickly proved that there was nothing to worry about as she saved a couple of break points and raced into a 4-0 double-break lead. Czech teenager Noskova struggled to match Raducanu’s level and the Brit broke for a third time to secure a bagel in the first set after 27 minutes.
Raducanu won almost double the points Noskova did in the opening set, with 28 going her way compared to 15 for the teenager. The world No. 31 left the court for a comfort break at the changeover and finally managed to win her first game of the match after 40 minutes, holding for 1-1 in the second set.
Noskova raised her level, landing a lot more first serves in the court, but Raducanu continued to trouble her. The 21-year-old set up the first break point opportunity of the set at 4-3 but was left with regrets when she returned a ball that was going out, dumping it in the net.
Raducanu had more chances to break in the final game, with two match points on Noskova’s serve. The Brit thought that her opponent had sent a serve long but the umpire disagreed and Noskova saved the first.
The world No. 303 finally got the job done on her second when Noskova sent a ball long and threw her racket in frustration. Raducanu roared as she reached her first quarter-final since September 2022.
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