Emma Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw in the first round at the Stuttgart Open. The Brit, who has endured a mixed 2024 so far, is hoping to go further than usual after a strong showing at the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.

Just once so far in 2024 has Raducanu made it beyond the second round of competition, but her chances of doing so at this month’s Stuttgart Open are already looking slim. The 2021 US Open winner has been matched up against Angelique Kerber in the first round of action, which is due to take place on Tuesday morning.

Should Raducanu come through that tie unscathed, the 21-year-old will play Linda Noskova, or most likely, Jeļena Ostapenko. The world No.8 is among the favourites to progress deep into the tournament, with the Czech star having reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open earlier this year.

But, it’s Raducanu’s potential round three clash which appears most daunting, as Iga Swiatek has been placed in her bracket. Swiatek boasts four Grand Slam titles to her name, with the Polish ace entering the Stuttgart Open having already won two tournaments this year.

Swiatek triumphed at both Indian Wells in March and the Qatar Open earlier in the year, helping solidify her status as the best women’s tennis player on the planet right now. Despite this, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Raducanu, who can still be confident about a deep run at the Stuttgart Open.

Raducanu won both of her recent matches at the Billie Jean King Cup, defeating French pair Caroline Garcia 6-3 3-6 2-6 and Diane Parry 6-4 1-6 6-7. It’s a result that helped secure the British team’s spot at November’s Billie Jean King Cup finals in Seville.

Speaking after the win, Raducanu said: “I don’t know who said Brits can’t play on clay. But today was a bit of a test of it that [showed] we can.

“I’m very happy to make it to the Finals and I think that after all those tries, we deserve it on our own merit. Katie [Boulter] did a great job this morning and it helped so much going into this match, knowing that we were 2-1. In the worst-case scenario it goes to a deciding doubles. But I didn’t want to get to that point, obviously, because they have one of the best, probably the best doubles team in the world.”

Speaking after the win, Raducanu said: “I don’t know who said Brits can’t play on clay. But today was a bit of a test of it that [showed] we can.

“I’m very happy to make it to the Finals and I think that after all those tries, we deserve it on our own merit. Katie [Boulter] did a great job this morning and it helped so much going into this match, knowing that we were 2-1. In the worst-case scenario it goes to a deciding doubles. But I didn’t want to get to that point, obviously, because they have one of the best, probably the best doubles team in the world.”