Emma Raducanu fought through weather delays and a tough opponent to beat Jaqueline Cristian 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Korea Open. She had opted out of the Billie Jean King Cup in order to accept a wildcard in Seoul and try to climb up the rankings.
Rain Disrupts Opening Match
Heavy rain postponed Raducanu’s match from Tuesday, and further rain interrupted play Wednesday. The match finally started after both paused delays, with Raducanu enduring a tough first set that took 70 minutes.
She saved 11 of 12 break points, and after trailing 3-1, won five consecutive games to take the set. Cristian hit more winners, but Raducanu’s resilience showed.
Key Moments and Recovery
In the second set, Raducanu double-faulted six times, but twice came back after losing service games to clinch the match. Her reward: a second-round showdown with 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
“I feel like I’ve played this match the last three days,” Raducanu said. “To have pulled through after waiting, I’m super pleased … Tough conditions, very slow, long rallies … really tough opponent.”
Skipping the Billie Jean King Cup
Raducanu declined to represent Great Britain at this week’s Billie Jean King Cup finals, a decision that caused disappointment from GB captain Anne Keothavong. The choice reflects Raducanu’s focus on improving her ranking in the closing stretch of the season.
Conclusion:
Emma Raducanu’s gritty performance in Seoul under difficult weather conditions showed she remains determined. With a round two match set against a high-profile opponent, her bid to return to top form continues—with ranking points very much in play.
