Emma Raducanu’s Washington Open Run Ends

Emma Raducanu’s run at the Washington Open ended in the quarter-finals when Paula Badosa defeated her. The Spaniard, ranked 62nd in the world, staged a dramatic comeback to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 45 minutes. Badosa, 26, commended Raducanu for her impressive performance and the tough challenge she posed. “She played exceptionally well and pushed me to my limits,” Badosa remarked. “I knew I needed to be aggressive. Although I missed some shots early on and had to adapt, Raducanu’s play made me miss as well. Her court intelligence surprised me. It was a great match.”

Raducanu initially controlled the match, breaking serve in the first game of the third set and saving a break point to lead 2-0. However, Badosa fought back, breaking Raducanu’s serve in the sixth game. Despite Emma Raducanu’s efforts to seize momentum by saving a match point, she struggled with her serve and faced another match point. A double fault ended her chances as Badosa secured the victory.  Raducanu, currently ranked 89th, has recovered from surgeries on both wrists and her left ankle, which kept her out for eight months.

She decided not to compete for Great Britain at the Olympics, choosing to focus on hard courts ahead of the US Open. Raducanu won the US Open in 2021 as a qualifier and aims to make a strong return to form. Badosa’s victory marks a significant moment in her season, highlighting her resilience and tactical adjustments under pressure.