Emma Raducanu has revealed how she was really feeling both before and during her match against Naomi Osaka.
In what was their first-ever meeting, pitting two former Grand Slam champions against one another, the 22-year-old shone brightest as she remained staunch throughout.
She never looked in danger during what was a comprehensive result, beating the four-time major winner 6-4, 6-2.
Ahead of the match, it must have been a daunting task considering all Naomi Osaka has accomplished.
And yet, whilst Emma Raducanu offered her respect, she was ruthless as soon as they stepped onto the court.
Emma Raducanu describes how she was feeling before facing Naomi Osaka
First asked about her game plan, Raducanu began by telling the Washington Open reporters: “I think the game plan was to hold my serve as much as possible, to manage my service games and, yeah, I guess just try and make the play as many returns as possible because it’s such a big weapon of hers and I think I was doing a good job of making some first-serve returns and then second doing a better job on the second.
“And yeah, trying to just stay with her, and I knew that, being out there, I kind of backed my consistency, so I’m trying to extend the points as well.”
Then asked about Osaka specifically, and if she was at all inspired by the 27-year-old, she continued: “It’s incredible. You’re going into the match, you know, she’s won four Grand Slams and that is incredibly difficult to do. I mean, I won one and I just, like, can’t imagine winning four, you know? It’s incredible.
“So she’s a great champion, and I know she’s finding her form again, and yeah, it’s good to see her kind of playing at this high level.
“But I know I’m feeling pretty good right now. I’m happy with how I’m doing, how I’m improving, and yeah, just keeping consistent and keeping good work.”
This came after Raducanu named her biggest improvement from the last few months.
Emma Raducanu is now set to become British number one again
With this win, having successfully defended her quarter-final points from this time last year, Raducanu is now confirmed to return as the new British number one.
After a strong few months, the 2021 US Open champion had been steadily rising up the rankings, culminating in her reclaiming that spot during Queen’s.
However, an inability to reach the fourth round and match her 2024 run at Wimbledon saw her once again slip, coinciding with Sonay Kartal’s mesmeric run and Katie Boulter’s second-round exit.
Raducanu was not to be denied though, as the undisputed most in-form British player on the WTA tour.
Hopefully, she can continue her fine performances against Maria Sakkari to soar even further up the rankings and put herself in a position of great strength ahead of the US Open.
AloJapan.com