Emma Raducanu takes the long road in Indian Wells ahead of Iga Swiatek clash

WATCH: Emma Raducanu defeats Magda Linette in the 2023 BNP Paribas Open second round

Emma Raducanu is through to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open after a statement victory on Monday, rallying in three sets for a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 victory over world No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Not only does it mark Raducanu’s first time winning three matches in a row at the same tournament since last fall in Seoul, her win also sets up a mouthwatering clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek next.

While Raducanu’s performance on the court seems to have gotten back on track, the British player revealed in a post-match press conference that the same can’t always be said for her driving skills. The 20-year-old says she enjoys going for a drive in her spare time, but she initially struggled to adapt to driving on the right side of the road in the States.

“I had to get used to that a little bit,” she admitted after her third-round win. “The first few times I was driving out here I was drifting a little bit, because [I was] driving on the ‘wrong’ side, or the right, whatever.”

After mastering the ‘right’ way to drive, Raducanu, who is sponsored by Porsche, has grown to appreciate American roads. When asked to list her favorite thing about the United States, she gave our stroads and highways her stamp of approval.

“Honestly, I have been loving my time here in the States. Now the weather is great. It's so easy, so functional,” Raducanu said. “You can drive everywhere. I love driving, personally. So I can just go on drives.

“The roads are so wide and you can just pull up and park and do your business, and it's not like a nightmare trying to park and parallel park. I love the ease and practicality of it.

“Everyone is really friendly here, as well, which is really nice and warm.”

Whether on the right or left, Raducanu has been in high spirits since arriving in the Coachella Valley—and it’s showing on the court, too. The world No. 77 took down Danka Kovinic and Magda Linette in straight sets before making her way past No. 13 seed Haddad Maia.

The 2021 US Open champion will next face top seed Swiatek, as she seeks her first quarterfinal berth at a WTA 1000-level event.