Iga Swiatek powers past Emma Raducanu to make Stuttgart Open semi-finals with 21st win on the bounce

Iga Swiatek beat Emma Raducanu 6-4 6-4 at the quarter-final stage of the Stuttgart Open. The match represented Raducanu's first against a top 10 performer, and she gave an impressive account of herself against the game's pre-eminent women's player, but, ultimately, Swiatek underlined her status as the favourite for the French Open with a performance of ruthless hitting. Ad/> World No.

1 Swiatek beat Eva Lys 6-1 6-1 on Thursday — her 20th win on the spin — and had the US Open winner Raducanu on the back foot from the off with her power from the baseline. The Polish star crafted an early break opportunity, and a stray backhand from the British No. 1 gave Swiatek an instant advantage.

WTA StuttgartExclusive: ‘I was in exam halls’ – Raducanu rejects Swiatek breakthrough comparisons11 HOURS AGO The 20-year-old Swiatek had lost serve just six times in her last nine outings, and while Raducanu managed to stay with the Polish star for the rest of the set, she failed to exert any pressure on her serve, And, thus, Swiatek extended her run of sets won on the bounce to 27. If the 19-year-old Raducanu wanted to extend her winning run in Stuttgart, she would have to win in three, but the writing looked to be on the wall when she conceded serve in the opening game of the second set. However, remarkably, given Swiatek's prior comfort on serve, Raducanu broke to love.

Yet, merciless baseline hitting from Swiatek fashioned another two break opportunities, the second of which saw Raducanu go long to re-establish the advantage for the world No. 1. The Brit called the trainer at the changeover to treat a hamstring issue, and would leave the court for a medical timeout.