The Baseline Boss: Raducanu’s Court Positioning Key to Victory

Emma Raducanu was the boss of the baseline on Wednesday, and her commanding court positioning was the key to a lopsided 6-2, 6-1 win against Janice Tjen. By owning the baseline, the British star controlled the geometry of the court and the destiny of the match.
Throughout the contest, Raducanu camped on or inside the baseline, a strategic decision that allowed her to take time away from Tjen. This aggressive positioning enabled her to take the ball on the rise, injecting pace into her shots and rushing the Indonesian into errors. Tjen was constantly forced to play off her back foot, unable to set up her crafty shots.
This mastery of court position was made possible by the quality of her shots. Her deep, penetrating groundstrokes consistently pushed Tjen back, creating the space for Raducanu to step in. Her serve was equally crucial, allowing her to take immediate control of the point and establish her dominant position.
Raducanu’s performance was a masterclass in how to use the court to your advantage. She wasn’t just hitting the ball well; she was strategically outmaneuvering her opponent. This tactical astuteness, combined with her power, makes her a complete player and a serious threat at the US Open.