Emma Raducanu picked up an important win in the first round of the Washington Open against Marta Kostyuk.
The British star defeated the World No. 26 7-6 6-4 to pick up a straight sets victory and set up a first time clash with Naomi Osaka.
Raducanu is also playing doubles with Elena Rybakina and continues to march on to find her best form ahead of her favourite Grand Slam, the US Open.
The star’s clash with Osaka comes with extra added pressure as Raducanu looks to confirm her place in the quarterfinals.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesEmma Raducanu will become British No. 1 if she beats Naomi Osaka
Raducanu only played one hard court tournament ahead of the 2024 US Open so has an excellent chance to climb up the WTA rankings.
The British star will be looking to gain seeded entry at the tournament she won in 2021, which should be possible with a handful of wins across Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati.
Raducanu needs to collect 150 WTA points at the next three tournaments in order to secure a top 32 ranking.
However, there will also be another statistic in the back of the current British No. 3’s mind when she plays Osaka.
Should Raducanu defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion in their debut clash, she will likely return to the top of the British rankings.
With the Billie Jean King Cup Finals coming up in September, a top ranking will confirm her position at the tournament.
Raducanu is currently ranked World No. 41 after her win over Kostyuk and she’ll leapfrog Katie Boulter if she defeats Osaka.
Emma Raducanu looks forward to Naomi Osaka test
Osaka has been granted a wild card for the Washington Open, which is why the two former Grand Slam winners are colliding so early in the tournament.
Nevertheless, Raducanu is relishing the opportunity to play a player of Osaka’s calibre for the first time ever.
“I’m looking forward to again playing Naomi,” said the British No. 3 in the Washington Open press conference. “It will be a great test of my own game and myself.”
Osaka and Raducanu play on July 24 with the order of play yet to be confirmed by the tournament.
AloJapan.com