Emma Raducanu has hit a fresh wave of form ahead of the US Open, but former British tennis star Barry Cowan has suggested the star needs to do one thing to better her 2024 season.
Raducanu reached the Washington semi-finals, following on from a strong set of performances at this year’s Wimbledon.
The star also impressed in doubles, which saw Elena Rybakina and Raducanu reach the final four in Washington.
Ahead of her appearance at the Canadian Open, Cowan has revealed what he believes Raducanu needs to do to better her work last year.
Emma Raducanu needs US Open seeding, says Barry Cowan
In an interview with Tennishead, Barry Cowan was positive about Raducanu’s recent ascension ahead of the US Open.
The former British tennis star said Raducanu needs more matches to break into the top 20 again, but said her season would be better than 2024 if she achieved one thing.
“If she were to get a seeded position for the US Open,” said Cowan, “I would say she’s absolutely ahead of probably where she was eight months ago.”
Raducanu is currently ranked at World No. 46, but that’s not taking into account the points she earned at the Washington Open.
The star will likely crack into the WTA Top 32 and gain a seed with two more wins at the National Bank Open.
The Canadian Open provides the perfect platform for Emma Raducanu
Raducanu was defending points at the Washington Open, but that’s not the case for the British star in Montreal.
She did not play Montreal in 2024, which essentially gives Raducanu a free hit at trying to climb the rankings.
Should Raducanu defeat Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Peyton Stearns, before a suspected third-round clash with Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova, that should be enough for the star to crack the top 32.
A seed would mean Raducanu would not play a fellow top player until much later in the tournament at the US Open.