For the better part of two hours on court at the China Open against one of the toughest possible opponents, Emma Raducanu’s varied, steadily improving game was in full flow. She seemed to be moving confidently towards one of the most impressive wins of her career.
When it was time to close out victory against the world No 7 Jessica Pegula, however, Raducanu simply crumbled under pressure. After her positive start, Raducanu’s time in Beijing ended in a catastrophic loss as she failed to convert three match points before losing 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-0 to Pegula in the third round.
For many players, the Asian swing signifies the final stretch of a long, arduous season, but this is a particularly meaningful tournament for Raducanu. This week marked Raducanu’s long-awaited tour-level debut in China, where her mother, Renee, is originally from. After nearly two months working with her new coach, Francisco Roig, Raducanu has clearly made improvements to her game but they will leave Beijing with the job of dissecting one of the toughest setbacks of her career.
While Raducanu faltered, Sonay Kartal, the British No 3, continued her excellent form in Beijing by moving into the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Maya Joint of Australia. Things had been difficult for Kartal after her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, losing her subsequent three matches. However, after two positive matches in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, she has found an excellent run of form in Beijing and she is yet to drop a set. She next faces the fourth seed Mirra Andreeva in the round of 16.
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Iga Swiatek, the top seed, continued her formidable form by reaching the fourth round with a retirement win over Camila Osorio after leading 6-0. In the men’s Beijing tournament, Jannik Sinner moved into the semi-final with an efficient 6-1, 7-5 win over Fabian Marozsan.
The men’s world No 1, Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, continued to play the best tennis of his career at the Japan Open in Tokyo as he reached his ninth consecutive final with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Casper Ruud. He will next face Taylor Fritz, the second seed, who beat Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3.
