- Emma Raducanu performed admirably to reach the quarter-finals but let a final-set advantage slip away
- The 21-year-old opted out of the Paris Olympics to participate in a tournament in Washington, USA
- Paula Badosa, part of the duo dubbed ‘Tsitsidosa’, rallied to reach the semi-finals
Emma Raducanu faced a tough defeat in a lengthy Washington quarter-final against Paula Badosa after choosing to skip the Olympics to compete in this US event.
The British 21-year-old was on the verge of reaching her most significant semi-final since her US Open victory three years earlier when she led 3-1 in the final set.
However, Badosa fought back in the sweltering heat to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory after two hours and 45 minutes.
Raducanu, managing her return from wrist and ankle surgeries, opted for this WTA 500 event instead of the competition in Paris.
She decided against switching back to the clay of Roland Garros in preparation for her return to the US Open, where she had her memorable win in 2021.
Emma Raducanu blew a lead to crash out of the Washington Open quarter-finals
Former world number two Paula Badosa battled back to reach the semis 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
Having previously defeated Elise Mertens and Peyton Stearns in Washington, Raducanu started assertively against Badosa, breaking her serve in the first game.
Badosa, who had practiced with Raducanu and had lunch with her before the competition, managed to remain in the first set but couldn’t create any break points.
Raducanu, brimming with confidence on her serve, captured the opener in 49 minutes, taking her third set point.
When Badosa finally earned a break point early in the second set, Raducanu extinguished the threat with a well-placed ace.
However, Badosa applied pressure on the scoreboard, and at 6-5, she converted her third set point when Raducanu hit into the net.
With temperatures soaring to 36C, the players were allowed a five-minute break, after which Raducanu immediately broke at the beginning of the final set.
Yet, a double fault from Raducanu gifted Badosa the break back at 3-3.
Badosa saved three break points in the following game, with the second being a second-serve ace, seizing the momentum to break for 5-3.
Raducanu turned down the chance to compete in the Olympics with Team GB but did well to reach the last eight in Washington
Nonetheless, Raducanu, the sole active British player to have won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Murray’s retirement, wasn’t finished yet; she saved a match point with a composed winner down the line before breaking back.
Unfortunately, the match concluded sadly for her as she double-faulted on Badosa’s second match point.
Badosa will now play against world number 49 Caroline Dolehide, who triumphed over fellow American Amanda Anisimova 7-6 (5) 6-1, in the semi-finals on Saturday.
