Emma Raducanu's highly-anticipated Australian Open campaign came to a crushing halt on Thursday as the British star fell to China's Wang Yafan in a dramatic second-round encounter that left fans heartbroken.
The 2021 US Open champion, playing in her first Grand Slam since returning from multiple surgeries, showed flashes of her brilliant best but ultimately succumbed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a gruelling two-hour, 55-minute marathon on Court 157.
Rollercoaster Battle Tests Raducanu's Resilience
From the opening exchanges, it was clear this would be no straightforward affair. Raducanu started strongly, breaking Wang's serve early to take a 3-1 lead in the first set. However, the Chinese player fought back relentlessly, capitalising on unforced errors from the Briton to claim the opening set.
'I think I started pretty well,' Raducanu reflected afterwards. 'I was aggressive and sticking to my game plan. But she definitely upped her level and didn't make it easy for me.'
Fighting Spirit Shines Through in Second Set
The second set saw Raducanu dig deep into her reserves of fighting spirit. Breaking Wang's serve at 4-4, she served out the set to love, sending the match into a decider that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite the physical toll of the match and sweltering Melbourne conditions, both players refused to yield in the final set. The crucial moment came at 4-4 when Wang secured the decisive break, leaving Raducanu serving to stay in the tournament.
Positive Signs Despite Disappointment
While the defeat stings, Raducanu found positives in her performance. 'I'm very positive, very happy with how my body is,' she said. 'Last year I would have been in a wheelchair after playing a match like that!'
The 21-year-old emphasised that this is just the beginning of her comeback journey: 'I know I've got good things ahead of me. I'm just getting started.'
Wang Yafan now progresses to face fellow Chinese player Zheng Qinwen in the third round, while Raducanu will turn her attention to building momentum on the WTA tour as she continues her return to the sport's summit.
