Former Wimbledon Champion Reveals Noticeable Changes in Emma Raducanu’s Game on Clay After Second Win in Rome
Emma Raducanu defeated Jil Teichmann in straight sets to reach the third round of the Italian Open in Rome.
Follow Us
Emma Raducanu (via WTA)
Emma Raducanu demonstrated her growing confidence on clay court with a commanding display against Swiss lucky loser Jil Teichmann in the second round of the Italian Open. It was the British star’s first back-to-back win in Rome. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli explained the different areas Raducanu has improved on in this clay season.
Raducanu has often detested playing on clay since the start of her career. She has often tried to skip the tournament and focus on the grass-court season. But this year, she has embraced the challenge that comes with the red dirt. After winning just one match in Madrid, Raducanu put in the hard work to improve her movement on clay.
The World No.49 has always had difficulties sliding and moving faster on the red dirt, but against Teichmann, she did it flawlessly. She outplayed the Swiss star and World No.94, earning a 6-2, 6-2 victory in the end. It was her third victory on clay this season in her second tournament on the red dirt.
Marion Bartoli, who was very impressed by her performance, revealed that she looked lively on the surface for the first time in a long while. The 2013 Wimbledon champion added that the hours she spent at the gym after the Madrid Open paid off on the court.
I think she’s moving better, which is crucial on clay. The surface is lively, and you’re sliding all over the place, so you need to get your legs extremely strong. You need to feel the ground really well and when I look at her muscle from the lower body she has been really putting in the work in the gym, which is probably why she decided to take a break after Miami to get those hours in the gym to make sure she was physically ready for the clay and grass too.
Marion Bartoli said via Sky Sports
Raducanu defeated Maya Joint 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open. She was heavily criticised for not playing at the Open de Rouen ahead of Madrid, but with her performance in Rome, she has redeemed her image.
Marion Bartoli reveals why Emma Raducanu’s partnership with Mark Petchey is working
Emma Raducanu has been working with Mark Petchey since the Miami Open as an interim coach, as he is not able to fill the role permanently due to his work as a television commentator. She was with Petchey and long-term mentor Jane O’Donoghue at the Italian Open in Rome. Marion Bartoli believes that Raducanu’s partnership with Petchey has grown because he’s not too technical.
Emma is probably looking for a coach who is not too technical. The will really need someone on the court with her every day if she wants to work on her technique. She’s probably wanting someone to explain to her how the tactics work for that specific opponent. They had to reposition her around the court because she had to cover the left side of the court [against Teichmann] so when you have the experience of someone as Mark, you can bring that on the table very quickly and sometimes that takes away the stress from the player.
Marion Bartoli said
Raducanu has parted ways with seven coaches in the past three years. After Indian Wells, she split with Vladimir Platenik after just one match, and hopes to find a permanent solution to her coaching situation.
Emma Raducanu to face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round of the Italian Open
Emma Raducanu is in the third round of the Italian Open. She will face Veronika Kudermetova next in the tournament. It will be the first meeting between the two. Kudermetova had beaten Lucrezia Stefanini in straight sets in the first round before beating Amanda Anisimova 7-6(5), 8-5 in the second round.
Raducanu is the favorite to win the tie as Kudermetova has struggled with form this season. In fact, her best run this season was reaching the quarter-finals of the Hobart International in January. She has won only four matches on clay this season, one above Raducanu. The winner of the tie is projected to face the Madrid Open runner-up Coco Gauff in the round of 16.
Also Read: Jannik Sinner’s Opening-Round Opponent Warns Him About ‘Spoiling’ His Comeback at Italian Open
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)