Emma Raducanu showcased her trademark resilience to power into the quarter-finals of the Hana Bank Korea Open, overcoming both a stubborn opponent and a lengthy rain interruption in Seoul.
The British number one, seeded second, was forced to wait for her victory after a downpour halted play for over 90 minutes during her second-round clash with Romania's Jaqueline Cristian.
Upon resumption, the 2021 US Open champion displayed fierce determination to close out a hard-fought 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 triumph against the world number 124.
Weather Woes Disrupt Flow
The match was finely poised at one-set all when the skies opened, forcing players off court and leaving Raducanu to refocus during the extended break. The interruption threatened to disrupt the momentum of the Bromley-based star, who had looked in commanding form during the opening set.
"These conditions are always challenging," Raducanu noted afterwards, "but it's about staying mentally prepared and adapting to whatever comes your way."
A Battle to the Finish
Following the restart, the deciding set evolved into a tense affair with both athletes trading powerful groundstrokes. Raducanu ultimately proved too strong, breaking Cristian's serve at a crucial moment to seal the match after two hours and 23 minutes of gripping action.
The victory marks another positive step in Raducanu's consistent 2024 season, demonstrating her ability to grind out results under testing circumstances.
She now awaits the winner of the match between third seed Marie Bouzková and home favourite Jang Su-jeong as she continues her quest for a second WTA tour title.
