John McEnroe says whether he believes Emma Raducanu actually has a chance against Iga Swiatek in Australian Open third round

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Emma Raducanu’s bid for a second Grand Slam title now faces a huge challenge as Iga Swiatek awaits in the Australian Open.

Andy Murray congratulated Raducanu after she reached the Australian Open third round, having beaten Amanda Anisimova in straight sets.

Former British number one Raducanu, who won the 2021 US Open, beat the American 6-3, 7-5 in round two in Melbourne.

But a very difficult test now arrives in the form of Swiatek, who at just 23 has five Grand Slam titles and is a former WTA number one.

Swiatek got angry against Katerina Siniakova in round one, but overcame her and Rebecca Sramkova in straight sets to make it to the third round.

John McEnroe thinks Emma Raducanu has ‘got a shot’ at beating Iga Swiatek

Raducanu also has two straight set victories behind her, with seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe now sharing his thoughts on what chance she has of overcoming second seed Swiatek.

“She called the trainer a couple of times on the court during the second set so it looked kind of iffy what was going to happen,” McEnroe said on Eurosport.

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“I don’t know if it threw Anisimova off, but it worked and it looked like she was moving better so obviously that will be an issue against Iga.

“But when you play a top player like Iga on hard courts who is not as comfortable as she is on clay, it’s a good time to play her, when she is not quite sure of herself or where her game is at.

“Raducanu is making progress. It will be a tall order but if she is feeling right she has got a shot at it. It’s good to see her back in the mix.”

Tim Henman says what Emma Raducanu needs to do to trouble Iga Swiatek

Raducanu and Swiatek have met three times throughout their impressive careers, with the latest seeing the world number 61 take on the world number two.

It is the Pole who holds the clear advantage regarding their WTA history, having won all three of their matches so far.

Swiatek also boasts a more favourable Australian Open record, with her best finish coming in the 2022 semi-finals, while Raducanu is now in the third round for the first time ever.

Her fellow former British number one Tim Henman has, however, agreed with McEnroe in believing that the Briton may just have what it takes to cause a major upset.

READ MORE: The potential routes to the Australian Open final for Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek

“We can focus our attention at either end of the court and I would focus my attention on what Raducanu is doing,” said Henman.

“She just needs matches. She has to keep this physical resilience to build confidence on the match court.

“Playing against the world number two, Swiatek, is a brilliant player but hard courts are not her favourite surface so Raducanu has got to go in there with a clear game plan and belief she can take down Swiatek.”