Emma Raducanu was full of praise for Naomi Osaka after playing against her for the first time.
The two Grand Slam champions had not previously crossed paths on the WTA Tour until the ongoing Citi Open.
Raducanu and Osaka clashed for a place in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event and the British number one secured a comfortable victory.
It was not the evenly-matched contest many were expecting, but it was an impressive win for Emma Raducanu as she continues to build form and momentum.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesEmma Raducanu says Naomi Osaka hits harder than some of the WTA’s top five players
Raducanu knew to expect a powerful and aggressive game from Naomi Osaka, a style of play that won her four Grand Slam titles.
The 22-year-old used power of her own as she took full advantage of any second serves by Osaka, who won just 43% of her second serve points.
Raducanu beat Osaka, losing just six games in the process. The world number 46 came to understand what most of the tour already knows about the Japanese star, she hits the ball very hard.
“I think she has got one of the biggest balls. You know, when she hits it, it’s really, really heavy. It comes through a lot faster and flatter than I’d say certain opponents in the top 5,” Raducanu told reporters post-match.
“They probably hit the ball a bit heavier. Naomi is pure speed, which is very difficult to deal with, especially on these courts where it’s very lively. Yeah, I think it was extremely important to start the point well on my serve.
“Then when she lands her first serve, it’s very difficult to do anything, but the second-serve opportunities that I was getting, I was happy with the second set and how I started finding a better rhythm on it.”
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesEmma Raducanu reached third Washington Open quarterfinal after beating Naomi Osaka
Raducanu is showing how much she enjoys playing in Washington D.C., as she reaches the quarterfinals without dropping a set.
She took down Marta Kostyuk in round one and now Osaka; Raducanu’s latest win is her 20th of the season.
She is also into the last eight at the Citi for the third time in her career, where she will face Maria Sakkari, a player she has not lost to in three previous meetings. “I’m really pleased with that match,” Raducanu said after beating Osaka.
“I thought that it was pretty mature, and I was holding onto my own service games really well. “I knew going into the match that Naomi has been playing good, loves the hard court.
“So I was going to have to play well and manage my own service games, because she’s very dangerous, hits a big ball, and serves extremely well. I’m very pleased with how I managed all the situations there.”
AloJapan.com