Following a riveting clash in Auckland, Elina Svitolina showered Emma Raducanu with praise, likening their match to the high-intensity encounter Svitolina had with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon the previous year. Seeded No. 2, Svitolina secured a hard-fought victory against Raducanu, who marked her return to the court after eight months and three surgeries.
The Auckland showdown unfolded as a display of exceptional tennis, reminiscent of Svitolina’s Wimbledon battle with Swiatek. In the first two sets, both players unleashed a barrage of winners and remarkable shots, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
Svitolina, reflecting on the match during her press conference, expressed the remarkable quality of play, ranking it as the second-best in terms of level in her career. The Ukrainian player drew parallels to her Wimbledon clash with Swiatek, emphasizing the striking similarities in the intensity and competitiveness of both contests.
The first set witnessed Svitolina staging a stunning comeback from a 5-1 deficit, forcing a tie-break. Raducanu, exhibiting resilience, secured the set with a pair of consecutive set points. The second set saw Svitolina twice taking a break lead, only to see Raducanu recover each time. The set eventually led to a tie-break, where Svitolina mounted a comeback from a 3-1 deficit, forcing the match into a decisive third set.
In the third set, Svitolina asserted her dominance, establishing a commanding 5-0 lead before ultimately closing out the match in the seventh game. Despite Raducanu’s visible fatigue in the decider, Svitolina acknowledged the match’s remarkable competitiveness and praised Raducanu’s performance.
The Auckland clash not only marked Raducanu’s return but also served as a testament to the resilience and high-quality tennis exhibited by both players.
