British No1 Emma Raducanu is bracing herself for a tough test against Anastasia Potapova in her Australian Open second round match on Wednesday. The Russian-born Austrian has been tipped as a contender to reach the third round, and Raducanu acknowledges that she will be facing a formidable opponent.
Raducanu won her opening match in Melbourne, overcoming Thailand's world No 195 Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4 6-1. The British player is now looking forward to two days of preparation for the second-round tie against Potapova, and she knows that this will be a challenging encounter.
Raducanu has been aware of Potapova's talent for some time, watching her compete in junior tournaments and being impressed by her skills. She also recognizes the Russian-born Austrian's strong ranking credentials and powerful game.
"It's going to be a really tricky one," Raducanu said after her opening match. "I need to just gather my strength and prepare as best as possible."
The British player has had personal experience of struggling with injuries, missing three Grand Slams in 2023 due to operations on both wrists and an ankle. She knows what it's like to feel two steps slow when returning from a long lay-off.
"The hardest thing is moving, seeing the ball," Raducanu cautioned against too high expectations for Draper after her experience of returning from injuries. "It's something that you take for granted when you've played a few matches and you're in a good momentum, you seem to just read the ball earlier, read the game, read the situations and play the big points better."
Raducanu has backed Jack Draper, who is set to make his return from injury at the Davis Cup next month. The British player empathizes with Draper's experience of missing Grand Slams due to injury and cautions against too high expectations for him as he returns.
"I really hope we can both make it next year," Raducanu said.
Raducanu won her opening match in Melbourne, overcoming Thailand's world No 195 Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4 6-1. The British player is now looking forward to two days of preparation for the second-round tie against Potapova, and she knows that this will be a challenging encounter.
Raducanu has been aware of Potapova's talent for some time, watching her compete in junior tournaments and being impressed by her skills. She also recognizes the Russian-born Austrian's strong ranking credentials and powerful game.
"It's going to be a really tricky one," Raducanu said after her opening match. "I need to just gather my strength and prepare as best as possible."
The British player has had personal experience of struggling with injuries, missing three Grand Slams in 2023 due to operations on both wrists and an ankle. She knows what it's like to feel two steps slow when returning from a long lay-off.
"The hardest thing is moving, seeing the ball," Raducanu cautioned against too high expectations for Draper after her experience of returning from injuries. "It's something that you take for granted when you've played a few matches and you're in a good momentum, you seem to just read the ball earlier, read the game, read the situations and play the big points better."
Raducanu has backed Jack Draper, who is set to make his return from injury at the Davis Cup next month. The British player empathizes with Draper's experience of missing Grand Slams due to injury and cautions against too high expectations for him as he returns.
"I really hope we can both make it next year," Raducanu said.
... I mean, the Russian-born Austrian has been on fire in junior tournaments and her ranking credentials are crazy strong 
. And with Raducanu's injury history coming back to bite her, this could be a make-or-break moment for both of them 
... what if she gets too caught up in trying to hype herself up after that first win and loses focus? 
against that Russian girl Anastasia Potapova... I'm rooting for her tho 
she's been through injuries and all that, so she knows what it's like to struggle back from them. Let's hope she can bring some of that experience to the court and take out Potapova 
. anyway, she's been watching potapova since junior tournaments and knows how talented she is... that's not an easy opponent to prepare for! 
. i do love how she's backing jack draper though, all about being realistic about his comeback... 
. 
. She's gotta be careful, 'cause those powerful serves and groundstrokes can be tough to handle 
. Not bad! But we know Potapova has the skills to give her a run for her money 
. The odds say it's gonna be close 
.
! I mean, Raducanu has been through some tough times with injuries, missing 3 GS in 2023... but she's back and ready to take on the best 
. Who do you think will come out on top?
She's been through some stuff with injuries and all, so I feel for her, you know? 