'I find it difficult transitioning': Emma Raducanu learning on the fly ahead of anticipated Naomi Osaka clash

Emma Raducanu will face Naomi Osaka in what will be a highly anticipated debut clash at the Washington Open.

The pair are yet to face off against each other, but with both winning their first-round match ups in straight sets, this clash is to be that fans will enjoy.

Raducanu, still just 22, has shown encouraging signs of form in D.C., competing in both singles and doubles. She edged past Marta Kostyuk 7-6, 6-4 in a hard-fought opening match, before teaming up with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina to win their doubles match in three sets.

Raducanu is building rhythm as she navigates a transition to the hard-court season, an adjustment she openly admits has challenged her in the past.

“I find it difficult transitioning from clay to grass to hard and I would say this is the first proper year where I actually am doing that.”

“The ball flies, it bounces so much higher than on the grass or it sits in a lot more comfortable height for me. It’s something that hopefully with more matches and more time on the hard courts I will get better.”

Despite recent setbacks, Raducanu’s growth is evident in her performances. Her confidence appears to be returning following a strong grass-court stretch, including a spirited performance against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon. “I’m proud of how I’m managing it,” she added, showing maturity beyond her years.

The young Brit also has a record of 7-7 on hard courts this year, showing her ability to win on the surface. This compared to Osaka whose record stands 5-3 on hard courts, presenting the game as a close encounter that could go either way and prove to be a pivotal moment in both their seasons.

On the other side of the net, Naomi Osaka has returned to the open for the first time since 2018. She kicked off her returning campaign with a win in straight sets, beating Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 7-5.

The four-time grand slam winner will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing exit at Wimbledon. A game that saw her fall to a 2-1 defeat Pavlyuchenkova.

Looking at her opponent, Osaka stated “she is a really dangerous opponent, someone who has been playing extremely well this year and had great results. I am expecting a really difficult match, and I know I need to play really well if I want to get through that.”

Osaka’s last game on clay saw her lose in the last 16 in Miami to semi finalist and world No.9 Jasmine Paolini. If the 27-year-old can perform to a similar standard, then she’ll be in with a chance of winning grand slam number five.

Both players have experienced that winning feeling at the US Open, and Osaka is looking forward to the challenge. “I’m excited about it”

“I’ve never played her before, so for me, that’s something really cool too. Because I’ve seen her, I guess when she first did well at Wimbledon before she won the US Open, moments like that, and I knew she was a good player.

While the pair have never met on court, there has been some connections linking the two. With Raducanu hiring Osakas former coach Yutaka Nakamura last year.

As two former US Open champions prepare to compete for the very first time, their Washington Open showdown promises to not only be a fierce contest of skill but a match up of two different playing styles. The match takes tomorrow afternoon and will see the winner of the tie will face either Maria Sakkari or Emma Navarro in the quarter finals, in what will be another tough match up.