Emma Raducanu Stuns Pegula, Secures Quarter-Final Spot

Emma Raducanu saved a match point to knock out world number five Jessica Pegula, advancing to the quarter-finals at Eastbourne. The 21-year-old wildcard had never beaten a top-10 opponent before. She rallied from a set down and saved a match point in the second set tie-break, ultimately winning a thrilling match 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5. “I’m pretty drained right now,” Raducanu admitted after the match. She mentioned facing “tough circumstances” overnight but did not elaborate. When asked about scribbling ‘new start’ on a TV camera, she explained, “It’s more of a fresh start in mentality and across the board. I’m not turning back or looking back. I believe everything happens for a reason, and now I’m playing more freely.”

Raducanu’s win capped a day for British tennis with Boulter beating Ostapenko and Dart overcoming Kenin. This marks the first time since 1978 that three British women have reached the quarter-finals at Eastbourne. Entering Wednesday’s match, Emma Raducanu had never won a set against a top-10 player. Pegula, fresh from her Berlin Open win, took early control of both sets. Despite trailing 4-1 in the first set and 3-1 in the second, Raducanu fought back. Pegula forced a tie-break in the second set, missing a match point at 6-5. Raducanu capitalized and pushed the match to a deciding set, thrilling the British crowd.

The 2021 US Open champion gained confidence, going a double break up in the final set. Despite nerves and failing to serve out twice, Emma Raducanu broke Pegula and overcame a 0-40 deficit for victory. She will next face Daria Kasatkina, who defeated China’s Yue Yuan 3-6, 6-4, 6-0. Katie Boulter aims for her second grass-court title this month, having won in Nottingham. The 27-year-old will also be seeded for the first time at Wimbledon. Under the scorching sun, Boulter outplayed Ostapenko, who struggled with double faults, foot-faults, and her ball toss. Boulter led 5-1 in the first set but needed her seventh set point to clinch it.

In the second set, Boulter absorbed Ostapenko’s powerful shots, breaking decisively at 5-5 and sealing the match with an unreturnable serve. She will face French Open runner-up and third seed Jasmine Paolini next, after Paolini advanced due to Elise Mertens’ early retirement with a hip injury. Elsewhere, defending champion Madison Keys reached the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina. Karolina Muchova, playing her first full match since September, defeated Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4, 6-1. In an all-British clash, Billy Harris rallied to defeat Charles Broom 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, while Giles Hussey lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Flavio Cobolli.