Emma Raducanu`s campaign at the Madrid Open concluded despite a promising display against the clay-court specialist Marta Kostyuk.
The former US Open champion had recently reached her first quarter-final at a premier WTA Tour event in Miami last month but was unable to replicate that deep run in the Spanish capital.
Raducanu had secured a convincing straight-sets victory over Suzan Lamens in the opening round. However, despite moments of her top-level tennis, she couldn`t overcome Ukraine`s Marta Kostyuk, the 24th seed, who triumphed with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 scoreline.
Although Raducanu had won comfortably against Kostyuk in their previous encounter at the same tournament three years prior, she started this match sluggishly.
She showed fighting spirit, recovering from a 1-3 deficit to level the first set at 3-3. But consecutive double faults immediately cost her serve again, allowing Kostyuk to secure the first set.
Ahead of the second set, Kostyuk received medical treatment for her right wrist. This break seemed to benefit Raducanu, who began the second set strongly, winning four games in a row to level the match.
However, a poor start to the deciding set by Raducanu, who continues to work informally with coach Mark Petchey, set a negative tone. Kostyuk seized the advantage and powered through to close out the match.
Reflecting on their past meeting, the 22-year-old Kostyuk said, “I lost a very easy match to her three years ago, so it was not good memories.” She added about Raducanu, “I knew Emma is a great fighter and has achieved a lot and can play amazing tennis. It was going to be a battle, so I`m very happy with the win.”
Fleming: Raducanu Finding Her Clay Feet
Speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, Colin Fleming offered his perspective: “Emma Raducanu is a competitor. She`ll be disappointed at this stage, but I think when the dust settles, there`s a lot to take from this match. This was a good level at times on a surface where she hasn`t played a lot of tennis recently.”
Fleming suggested that continued work on her clay-court game, focusing on movement, balance, and overall comfort, will stand her in good stead. “If she can keep working, keep finding her feet in the clay… I think she can still have some great results in this clay-court season and I think it will serve her well for beyond that into the grass and the hard,” he commented, concluding, “A lot of positives to take from this one.”
Other Tournament Results
British No 1 Katie Boulter suffered a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 defeat against Jasmine Paolini in just 56 minutes. Boulter, who has limited experience on clay, was outmatched by the sixth seed, who was a finalist at the French Open last season. Boulter struggled significantly on her serve throughout the match.
Similarly, British No 3 Sonay Kartal was defeated by the in-form Elina Svitolina, losing 6-3, 6-1 to the 17th seed.
Elsewhere in the draw, top seed Aryna Sabalenka advanced comfortably with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Anna Blinkova. However, eighth seed Zheng Qinwen`s struggles continued as she lost 6-4, 6-4 to Anastasia Potapova.
In the men`s draw, top seed Alexander Zverev eased past Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2, and third seed Taylor Fritz beat Christopher O`Connell 6-1, 6-4. Defending champion Andrey Rublev and ninth seed Daniil Medvedev progressed without playing after their opponents withdrew. Eighth seed Holger Rune, last week`s Barcelona winner, retired against Flavio Cobolli due to a quadriceps injury after losing the first set 6-2. Women`s ninth seed Paula Badosa also withdrew with a back injury.
