Britain's Emma Raducanu suffered the joint heaviest defeat of her career as second seed Iga Swiatek demonstrated her superiority in a one-sided Australian Open third-round match.

Raducanu, 22, was thrashed 6-1 6-0 in a chastening afternoon on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

The world number 61 lost serve five times in a defeat which took just one hour and 10 minutes.

It was the second time in her career that she lost with only a game to her name, following a 6-0 6-1 defeat by Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina in Sydney three years ago.

"She played very well, but I also think that I didn't play very well. It's just not a great combination," said Raducanu.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, who has never gone past the Melbourne semi-finals, produced a level which fired another warning to her title rivals.

The 23-year-old from Poland has won her opening three matches in straight sets and not dropped a service game.

"If a top player is playing perfect, it's going to be a difficult match already," added Raducanu.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1107 HRS, JAN 18, 2025
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