“I feel sorry for her,” Emma Raducanu’s QFs opponent, Daria Kasatkina, said as the Brit retired mid-match in the Korean Open. She was one step away from qualifying for her first semi-final match (above WTA 250 level) since her unforgettable 2021 US Open victory. However, Raducanu, who had defeated Peyton Stearns and Yue Yuan to reach the last eight, withdrew from the contest with a foot injury after losing the opening set 6-1. However, a bonus awaited the 21-year-old.
Her first-round victory, a hard-fought 6-4, 6-3 win over Peyton Stearns that lasted nearly three hours, showcased her resilience and determination. In her second match against eighth seed Yuan Yue, Raducanu maintained control for most of the two-hour contest, securing a 6-4, 6-3 victory. Raducanu’s two wins at the Korea Open have propelled her up the WTA rankings, bringing her closer to the top 50. She has taken a giant 16 position jump from being ranked 70th in the world to 54th.
This will come as a huge career boost to the former British No. 1 player, Raducanu, who returned to action this year in January and is since chasing her highest rank (No. 10) from 2022! Moreover, her early round exits starting from the Australian Open till Indian Wells this year further raised eyebrows. Now, add a French Open withdrawal (as she wanted to focus on her fitness) to that list!
But things started to look better since her Nottingham Open semifinal entry, following which she also qualified for the QFs in Eastbourne and Citi Open as well. Moreover, a US Open first-round setback did not dim her morale! And as the 2024 season gradually nears its end, it seems, Raducanu is not ready to give up so soon!
Talking about her future tournaments in Asia, Raducanu, whose mother hails from China, previously said, “I thrive in Asia. It’s where I truly feel like home. So I’m buzzing for that trip even though it’s at the end of the year. I’m looking forward to going out there and trying to take it.” Perhaps with this very enthusiasm, she is ready to overcome her injury and be back at the next tennis event in Beijing.
This did not come as a surprise to fans who have already seen her regret about not playing enough matches this year!
Emma Raducanu’s heartfelt confession after the US Open defeat
After coming from the Citi Open quarterfinal defeat against Paula Badosa, Emma Raducanu entered the Flushing Meadows with a tinge of hope. But her dreams came crashing down when Sofia Kenin defeated her by 1-6, 6-3, 4-6 in the first round! The 21-year-old who skipped the Olympics couldn’t hold back her tears after the match and made a confession
“I would have preferred to probably play, a little bit more before coming into the US Open. I think I can learn from it. And you know my manage my schedule slightly differently.” Raducanu further reflected on her feelings after the match, saying she was “sad” and feeling “down.”
However, Raducanu seems to have taken the situation into her control, as we will soon see her in Beijing, where she will either face a qualifier or a lucky loser in the first round. And her WTA rankings will surely see a boost as the event progresses!
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