Emma Raducanu points out the one difference between facing Iga Swiatek now compared to nine months ago after heavy Australian Open defeat

Emma Raducanu explained the differences between facing Iga Swiatek in 2024 and in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open.

The Brit had been impressive through her first two matches, which suggested she could give the World number two a stern test.

They faced one another in the hot sunshine on Rod Laver Arena and once again the Pole claimed the victory, but this was the most decisive one yet.

Iga Swiatek took just 70 minutes to comprehensively defeat Emma Raducanu for the loss of just one game and move into the fourth round of the Australian Open.

What did Emma Raducanu say about the differences between playing Iga Swiatek in 2024 from the 2025 Australian Open

Raducanu just simply could not get going against Swiatek at the Australian Open.

The second seed struck 24 winners to just nine from Raducanu, and committed just 12 unforced errors in a truly dominant display.

Their last meeting at the 2024 Stuttgart Open was a closer affair, which Swiatek won 7-6, 6-3. Raducanu said she served better in that match, and her numbers were certainly down in that department at Melbourne Park.

“I would say the difference between playing her today and playing her in Stuttgart, the last two times where I was pretty close, I mean, I was serving really well in Stuttgart both years,” said Raducanu, whose first serve was below 60% and she won just 23% of points behind her second serve on Saturday.

“I think I landed a lot of first serves. It just helps set the rest of your points up on your games, get a few free points. Then you feel maybe more confident to swing on the return games, too.