Emma Raducanu’s Indian Wells run ends with heavy Iga Swiatek loss

Emma Raducanu’s impressive run in Indian Wells came to an end in the round-of-16 as the Brit was no match for the reigning champion. Iga Swiatek needed just an hour and 24 minutes to get back the 20-year-old 6-3 6-1 in a dominant display.

Raducanu was facing Swiatek for the second time following a quarter-final run-in at last year’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where the Pole won and went on to lift the title. But this was arguably Raducanu’s biggest match since her 2021 US Open final, coming after back-to-back top 20 wins earlier in the tournament to advance to the last-16 in Indian Wells for the first time.

Swiatek was a step up in challenge for the Brit as the world No 1 and reigning champion as she looked to defend her crown while Raducanu was hoping to continue her impressive form in the Californian desert. But the 20-year-old found herself under pressure almost immediately, saving two break points in her opening service game.

Raducanu was able to carve out two break points of her own in the next game, but Swiatek’s experience proved crucial as she saved both and didn’t let the British No 1 let a look in at her serve for the rest of the match. Down 2-3 0-30 later in the set, the former world No 10 hit a double fault that proved costly and allowed the top seed to well and truly take command of the match.

The three-time Major champion broke to love and went on to take the opening set 6-3. Both players were able to hold to start the second set before Raducanu was dragged into a lengthy game at 1-1, fighting off four break points against the defending champion in Indian Wells.

But the 21-year-old finally broke her down, taking a fifth break point before going on a tear as the second set ran away from Raducanu. It was a moral bagel for Swiatek who won the last six games of the match in a row from 0-1 down on serve, as she then broke the Brit to love to lead 4-1.

And it was one more break in the final game of the match to hand Swiatek a 6-3 6-1 victory as Raducanu was sent packing from Coachella Valley. Despite the one-sided defeat, the 20-year-old has enjoyed an impressive run in Indian Wells with a career-best showing in the last-16.