After a few encouraging months, Raducanu rose to No. 41 in the rankings, after almost no joy for Swiatek.
The 2021 U.S. Open champion lost four previous meetings – twice on Stuttgart’s indoor clay, twice in India’s Wells and this year’s Australian Open.
In Melbourne, the 6-1 6-0 failure was particularly picky, and the Swiatek’s earthquake proved too powerful and precise for Raducanu.
“When she played me, she was literally fired – I don’t know why it was her performance, but she always performed well.”
“I’m not sure if this is my business, but every time we play, she’s at a high level.”
Raducanu has improved in the four months since last meeting, but she was surpassed by Madrid Clay’s world second-ranked Coco Gauff, which shows she still has to bridge.
“With a top quality opponent that won’t disappear psychologically, that’s where you’re going to see Rado Kanu’s game,” Croft said.
“She knew she had to come out and be aggressive with Swiatek.
“She will need to go on the first strike and also need to get depth or angle to try to control the point.
“If you start playing against Swiatek at the rally, you’ll be second.”
