Martina Navratilova thought Emma Raducanu showed glimpses of her US Open 2021 level when she took on Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka this week. Raducanu, 19, lost Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, 6-4, 6-0 in the first round in Cincinnati.
After defeating Williams, Raducanu beat another Grand Slam champion by disposing of Azarenka 6-0 6-2.
“She played like she did when she won the US Open, simple as that! She hasn’t been in this form since then and I didn’t think she could do it back-to-back, because I thought yesterday was mostly due to Serena, but clearly not it was like that, he gets up for the big matches,” Navratilova said, according to The Independent.
Raducanu has been one of the most criticized WTA players this season, at times probably unfairly.
But this week she has faced two Grand Slam champions and two former world-ranked players.
“I think when you’re up against two great champions, again, you feel like it’s great to share the court with them and take any lessons, and you really appreciate the opportunity when you’re up against such great players,” Raducanu said.
