A former pro has noticed a minor tweak Emma Raducanu has made at Washington, which is incredibly similar to the way she played when she won the US Open in 2021.
Raducanu has impressed in Washington in both the singles and doubles as she’s still fighting strong in both formats.
Raducanu plays Naomi Osaka next as the two Grand Slam champions meet in a tantalising first-time-ever clash.
Her newfound form has led one former pro to compare her current play to the one that helped her shock the world at the US Open.
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Emma Raducanu is returning from the baseline in Washington
Raducanu has been far more impressive since working with coach Mark Petchey, and one thing has stood out to a former pro-turned-pundit.
“I think she looks in a really good spot right now and has improved,” said Andrea Petkovic on Rennae Stubbs’ podcast about Raducanu’s first round win against Marta Kostyuk in Washington.
The former WTA Top 10 star also noticed a huge change Raducanu has made to her game, which is similar to what she exhibited during her phenomenal US Open win in 2021.
Petkovic believes Raducanu is playing more returns from the baseline, rather than a few feet behind it for her opponent’s serves.
“At the US Open she won because she was so much up on the baseline and taking the balls and her returns so early,” explained Petkovic.
“In the years between you could see her being a bit too far behind the baseline,” the 2014 Roland Garros semi-finalist added. “Now she is right back on it in Washington,” commended the German star.
Raducanu is looking to crack the top 32 before the US Open, in order to gain a seed for the final Grand Slam of the year.
How many points does Emma Raducanu need to get a seed for the US Open?
Raducanu currently sits at World No. 41 in the live WTA Tour rankings and she’ll regain her position as the British No. 1 with a win against Osaka.
The star needs around 320 points from Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati in order to gain a seed for the US Open.
Thankfully for the British star, she’s not defending any points at Cincinnati and Montreal after missing the tournaments in 2024.
That means the star has an excellent opportunity to make her life much easier before the final Grand Slam of the year rolls around.