Raducanu and Draper exit Indian Wells with a taste of what it takes at the very top

A s Emma Raducanu fought hard to stay alive in the second set of her primetime bout with Iga Swiatek on Tuesday night, she threw all that she had at the undisputed world No 1. Down a break point, Raducanu fired down a heavy combination of forehands that kissed multiple lines. Against almost anyone else, she would have generated an easy short ball to put away.

But not Swiatek. After flitting from side to side at full sprint, she eventually responded with a sliding defensive backhand so deep that it instantly flipped the rally and forced the error. As Swiatek snatched the break and marched to victory, it was a further example of just how hard it is to face her. Not only does she overwhelm the rest of the world with her vicious, heavy groundstrokes off both wings, but she will outrun you, too.

On Tuesday night at Indian Wells, Great Britain’s two brightest young players, Raducanu and Jack Draper, fought against the top-ranked players at Indian Wells, Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz. They left with a greater understanding of the progress they must make.

After a frenetic opening five games, Swiatek elevated her level and, like the rest of the field, Raducanu could not keep up as she was eventually smothered 6-3, 6-1.

The outlook is undeniably positive for the British No 1, who enjoyed by far the best week of her career since winning the US Open. After searching for her on-court identity last year, she played with freedom and clarity throughout her matches as she fought her way inside the baseline. The simple hope is that the work she has done at Indian Wells will be a great base for her to build on and progress, and that her body will allow her to do so. The Miami Open begins next week.

“I think especially because of where I was