Emma Raducanu is relishing the prospect of an Australian Open third-round clash with Iga Swiatek and admitted she goes into the contest free of external expectation.
Former US Open champion Raducanu battled past friend Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5 today to move beyond the second round in Melbourne for the first time in her career.
Next up is second seed Swiatek, who dropped just two games in her thrashing of Rebecca Sramkova.
Relentless Raducanu ⚔️@EmmaRaducanu defeats Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-5, advancing to a maiden third round berth at the #AusOpen.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/cqLMQl97pk
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
“[Swiatek] is a top player, she’s been really consistent over the last quite a few years,” Raducanu said. “So it’s going to be a match for me where I feel like I don’t really have much expectation externally.
“I think you always have the pressure that you put on yourself to perform to your best ability, which is not really going to change, but that’s every match.
“I’m looking forward to going out there and testing my game against the best, because ultimately, you play tennis, and you live for these matches. It’s going to be a great buzz of adrenaline.”
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Seeds advance
Jasmine Paolini also progressed on day five, the fourth seed easing past Mexican Renata Zarazua 6-2 6-3, while sixth seed Elena Rybakina and eight seed Emma Navarro moved on, albeit in contrasting fashion.
Rybakina was far too good for American wild card Iva Jovic, winning 6-0 6-3, but Navarro was pushed by Xiyu Wang before prevailing 6-3 3-6 6-4.
There will be an all-American clash in the third round with Danielle Collins squaring off against Madison Keys.
Collins won a feisty encounter against home hope Destanee Aiava 7-6 (7/4) 4-6 6-2, after which she rounded on the Australian crowd, while Keys was also made to work hard by Elena-Gabriela Ruse before claiming a 7-6 (7/1) 2-6 7-5 success.
Sinner bounces back after slow start
Men’s top seed Jannik Sinner dropped the first set to Australian wild card Tristan Schoolkate before hitting back to win 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3 and admitted he would need to play better if he is to defend his crown.
Sinner, who plays American Marcos Giron next, said: “It’s still a very, very long way to go. We go day by day. Seeing my level today we know that I can improve.”
Giron beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry on a mixed day for the American men.
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz needed just 82 minutes to see off Cristian Garin and there were also wins for Alex Michelsen and Ben Shelton.
Mitchell Krueger departed, however, as did Tristan Boyer and 17th seed Francis Tiafoe, beaten in five sets by Fabian Marozsan.
There was some early morning delight for qualifier Learner Tien with the 19-year-old ousting fifth seed Daniil Medvedev, the runner-up in Melbourne in three of the last four years.
Tien eventually came through with the local time at 3am, 6-3 7-6 (7/4) 6-7 (8/10) 1-6 7-6 (10/7), in four hours and 48 minutes.
Remember the name: Learner Tien@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/HQmCNDMd5J
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
