After back-to-back Grand Slam clashes with Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu is still searching for answers.
The British star’s hopes at the French Open were dashed once again as she suffered a heavy defeat to the world No 5 in the second round of Roland Garros.
This marks her second consecutive Grand Slam loss to the Polish powerhouse, underlining a clear gap that Raducanu has yet to close.
A Striking Defeat That Echoes Melbourne’s Disappointment
Raducanu’s loss in Paris felt like a repeat of the harsh lesson she received in Melbourne earlier this year.
The scoreline—6-1, 6-2—was marginally better than the 6-1, 6-0 hammering at the Australian Open, but it painted a similar picture: five matches against Swiatek, five straight losses, and not a single set won.
Raducanu had talked about narrowing the gap with the elite players, but on this occasion, it was clear she still has a long way to go.
Struggling to Match Swiatek’s Power and Precision
One of the biggest challenges for Raducanu is matching Swiatek’s sheer firepower.
While Emma is known for her smooth and clean ball-striking and can end points effectively when given the chance, Swiatek rarely hands her that opportunity.
Early in rallies, Raducanu found herself pushed onto the defensive, forced to chase the ball as Swiatek dominated from all corners of the court.
The question quickly becomes which side of her opponent’s weapon—forehand or backhand—would deliver the knockout blow.
Swiatek Showing Vulnerability, But Still a Formidable Opponent
Although Swiatek didn’t play a flawless match, missing more shots than usual, she remains a tough contender.
After winning the French Open last year, she has struggled to find consistent form this season, yet she’s still difficult to beat.
Her recent losses to power hitters like Madison Keys, Danielle Collins, and Jelena Ostapenko reveal that she’s not invincible.
To topple her, opponents need to be aggressive and put relentless pressure on her forehand.
Coaching Changes and Tactical Adjustments for Raducanu
Emma’s coach, Mark Petchey, who also works for TNT Sports, has been making adjustments to help boost her game.
They’ve changed her racket strings and added weight to the frame, hoping to give her the extra punch needed to challenge top players like Swiatek.
Petchey was present at Roland Garros, dressed professionally for his TV duties but also supporting Emma courtside.
However, the question remains: if Raducanu can’t match Swiatek’s power, how can they change their approach to turn the tide?
A Missed Chance to Mix Up the Game
Raducanu’s strategy during the match didn’t offer many surprises.
She attempted a drop shot early on but quickly gave up on it.
She possesses one of the tour’s better slice backhands, which could have been used more creatively to disrupt Swiatek’s rhythm.
Instead, Raducanu mostly stuck to baseline rallies where Swiatek held the clear advantage.
More variety and tactical flexibility might have at least prolonged points and given Emma a better chance.
Swiatek Looks Steady Despite Recent Challenges
Iga Swiatek is gradually finding her footing in this tournament after a tough season marked by unexpected losses.
Her recent defeat to Danielle Collins in Rome was a low point, and she admitted she wasn’t playing her best tennis.
But at Roland Garros, she’s taking it match by match, trying to regain her groove.
That said, Raducanu is not the opponent who will truly test her resilience — tougher challenges loom ahead.
The Threat of Jelena Ostapenko Still Lingers
One of the biggest tests for Swiatek could come in the fourth round against Jelena Ostapenko.
The Latvian has dominated their head-to-head meetings, winning all six matches between them.
As the tournament progresses, Swiatek will need to find solutions against opponents who know how to exploit her weaknesses, something Raducanu was not able to do this time around.