“I think the crowd likes it!” joked Raducanu amid gasps from the crowd at the news she’ll face the former world No. 1. “It’ll be a very good match for me. Every match I can play against these top opponents, I’m loving it and it’s another opportunity for me to test my game, see where I’m at. We’ve played twice before on clay, so let’s see on hard court.
“Obviously, she’s achieved so much already, and I think going into it I have nothing to lose,” added the Brit. “I’m just going to swing, give it my best and I can’t wait to play in front of you guys.”
Still just 22 years old, Raducanu has endured numerous injuries since nabbing the trophy in Flushing Meadows, but ended 2024 on an encouraging note with a strong week at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Playing her first event of 2025 at the Australian Open, she opened with a strong victory over No. 26 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. Despite a potentially worrying medical timeout in the second set, weathered another powerful opponent in Anisimova, who has reached the fourth round in Melbourne three times.
