Emma Raducanu denies similarities to Iga Świątek as quarter-final looms

Emma Raducanu has denied similarities to Iga Świątek as their quarter-final match at the Stuttgart Open nears.

Raducanu is set to play the world number one this evening at the WTA 500 event. It will be the first time the pair meet at a senior level.

Fans have been quick to point out the similarities between Raducanu and Świątek.

They both won a Grand Slam as their first title, for example, and both made their respective breakthroughs as teenagers.

But for Raducanu, that is where the similarities end. The 19-year-old told WTA Insider that the pair had “different pathways”.

“Iga had been playing tennis full time for years before,” she said. ”She was on the ITF Tour, she was on the WTA Tour. I hadn’t played for 18 months, was sitting for my exams, and didn’t really play that many tournaments or trained very much.

“I was training like three times a week for 10 hours a week last year. So right now it’s about building robustness for sure, playing matches week in and week out.

“You can’t really compare the journeys because we’ve had different pathways. Since she won the Slam she’s done extremely well and remained consistent. I’m not sure when that will happen for me but I’m sure I’ll get there.”

Świątek has been enjoying an astonishing 2022, earning three WTA 1000 titles in three months. She rose to world number one following Ashleigh Barty’s shock retirement in March.

“Iga’s in great form,” Raducanu said. “She’s won all the tournaments recently, she’s number one in the world and clay is one of her best surfaces.

“For me it’s a complete swing tomorrow. I’ve got no expectations or pressure. I’m just going to go out there and see what happens.”

Raducanu has struggled to impress since her improbable victory at the US Open in