SEOUL – Emma Raducanu’s run at the Korea Open has come to a heartbreaking end, as the British star was defeated by former French Open champion Barbora Krejčíková in a grueling three-set match. The loss was particularly painful for Raducanu, who squandered three match points in a dramatic second-set tiebreak, ultimately ceding the momentum and control of the contest. The final score was 4-6, 7-6 (12-10), 6-1, a result that belies the captivating battle that unfolded over nearly three hours.
The match started brightly for Raducanu, who showed resilience and determination from the very first game. Despite being broken early, she immediately broke back and settled into a rhythm, using her powerful groundstrokes to dictate points. She clinched the first set 6-4 after 54 minutes, taking advantage of a costly double fault from her opponent on set point. The victory seemed to be well within her grasp as she continued her momentum into the second set.
Early in the second set, Raducanu’s dominance was even more pronounced. She quickly secured a double break and built a commanding 4-1 lead. Serving for the match at 5-3, the young Brit had her first opportunity to close out the contest. However, Krejčíková, a seasoned competitor and Grand Slam champion, showed her immense fighting spirit. The Czech player managed to save the match point and break back, shifting the dynamic of the set and forcing it into a tiebreak. The tiebreak itself became a nail-biting affair, with both players trading blows and testing each other’s resolve. Raducanu had two more match points at 7-6 and 9-8, but Krejčíková was able to defend both, showcasing her own mental fortitude under pressure.
“It was definitely a difficult match,” Krejčíková said in her on-court interview after the match. “I was very down, I don’t really know how I turned it around. I’m just happy to be through and happy that I showed that strength in my head.” The Czech player also credited the crowd for providing a crucial boost of energy. “At one point, they started cheering when I was serving and they definitely gave me extra energy,” she added. “So, thank you guys for coming, waiting here and being here, until quite late.”
Krejcikova’s ability to turn the match around in the second set was a masterclass in mental toughness. Her victory in the tiebreak, which ended 12-10, seemed to have a deflating effect on Raducanu. The momentum had completely swung in the Czech’s favor, and the third set became a grim procession for the British number one. Krejčíková quickly took a commanding 4-1 lead, held off two break points to consolidate her position, and eventually sealed the match with relative ease. Raducanu was visibly dejected, and her resistance seemed to wane as the final set slipped away.
The loss is a frustrating setback for Raducanu, who had chosen to compete in the Seoul tournament to earn valuable ranking points, having reached the quarter-finals here the previous year. The defeat will likely result in a drop in her ranking, as she was defending those points. With the loss, Raducanu’s run in Seoul ends, and she will now head back to the practice courts with her new coach, Francisco Roig, to prepare for her next events in China. The match serves as a painful reminder of the fine margins in professional tennis, where a single point can completely change the trajectory of a contest.
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