Emma Raducanu's promising campaign at the Hana Bank Korea Open in Seoul came to a heartbreaking end on Friday, as the British number one was eliminated in a marathon quarter-final battle by world number 21 Barbora Krejcikova.
The match was an epic display of resilience and shot-making, stretching over three hours and thirteen minutes of intense competition. Raducanu, who had shown impressive form in earlier rounds, started strongly, pushing the 2021 French Open champion to her limits.
A Tale of Two Tie-Breaks
The opening set was a tightly contested affair, with neither player giving an inch. It inevitably hurtled towards a tie-break, where Krejcikova's experience just edged it, clinching the breaker 7-5. Unfazed, Raducanu mounted a characteristic fightback in the second set. Once again, neither could break serve, leading to another nail-biting tie-break. This time, it was the Briton who held her nerve, winning it 7-4 to force a decisive third set.
Krejcikova's Final Push
The physical and mental toll of the lengthy battle began to show in the final stanza. The Czech star found another gear, securing a crucial break of serve. Despite Raducanu's relentless defence and fighting spirit, Krejcikova maintained her advantage, eventually serving out the match to love and sealing her place in the semi-finals.
This result marks a significant step in Raducanu's continued comeback, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level against elite opponents. While the ranking points earned will be a positive, the defeat will undoubtedly be a tough one to digest after coming so close to a landmark victory.
