Emma Raducanu’s inconsistent run of form continued at the China Open as the British number one squandered three match points before falling 6-3 6-7 (9-11) 0-6 to world number seven Jessica Pegula in Beijing. The loss echoes her earlier defeat this month to Barbora Krejcikova, where she also failed to convert opportunities to close out the contest.
Early Promise, Painful Collapse
Raducanu, ranked 32 in the world, began brightly, winning the opening set 6-3. Her aggressive groundstrokes and precise returning put Pegula under sustained pressure, forcing uncharacteristic errors from the usually composed American.
The second set saw both players wrestle for control, with the intensity evident when Pegula, frustrated by her own mistakes, hurled her racquet to the floor after dropping the fifth game. Raducanu looked poised to seal the win in the tie-break, racing to a 5-2 lead and earning three match points.
Yet, in a twist that has become increasingly familiar in her matches, she failed to capitalise. Pegula saved two points with bold backhand winners before erasing the third on Raducanu’s serve. The American then snatched the tie-break 11-9, shifting momentum firmly in her favour.
From that point on, Raducanu’s energy and confidence visibly waned. The 2021 US Open champion managed only a handful of points in the decider as Pegula stormed through 6-0 to complete a comeback victory in just over two hours.
Pegula Relieved
Pegula admitted afterward that fortune had played a role in her dramatic turnaround. “It was a crazy match,” she said. “I got myself back into the tie-break and just wanted to keep the pressure on. To be honest, I think I got a little bit lucky on two of those backhand winners, but I just tried to keep fighting as long as I could.”
The 30-year-old American, who has established herself as one of the most consistent players on the WTA Tour, will now face Marta Kostyuk in the round of 16 after the Ukrainian dispatched Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4 6-2.
Raducanu’s Frustrations
For Raducanu, the defeat represents another missed opportunity to claim a notable scalp. Since her historic run to the US Open title four years ago, she has struggled to string together victories against top-tier opponents, with recurring injuries and lapses in concentration hindering her progress.
The inability to close out matches from strong positions remains a glaring weakness. Against both Krejcikova and Pegula this month, she held match points only to falter at the decisive moment. Critics argue this reflects both mental and physical fragility, while her supporters maintain that greater consistency will come with time and fitness.
Still only 22, Raducanu has time on her side, but as the losses pile up, questions about her ability to reclaim the form that stunned the tennis world in 2021 grow louder.
Kartal Shines in Contrast
While Raducanu faltered, fellow Briton Sonay Kartal delivered another assured performance to book her place in the last 16. Ranked 81 in the world, Kartal brushed aside Maya Joint 6-3 6-2 in just over an hour.
The British number four started fast, racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set with a series of powerful forehands that left Joint scrambling. Though the Australian settled into the contest, Kartal maintained her composure to take the opener.
In the second set, Kartal again dictated play, breaking serve in the third and seventh games before sealing victory with a confident hold. The 22-year-old has now beaten three higher-ranked players—Alycia Parks, Daria Kasatkina, and Joint—during her Beijing campaign.
Her next challenge will be world number four Mirra Andreeva, who advanced after a comfortable 6-4 6-1 win over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
Swiatek Progresses
Elsewhere, top seed Iga Swiatek advanced to the next round after her opponent Camila Osorio retired hurt, trailing 6-0 in the opening set. The Polish star, aiming for her fifth title of the season, will now look to take advantage of a clearer path to the latter stages of the tournament.
Looking Ahead
For British tennis fans, the contrasting fortunes of Raducanu and Kartal offered a mix of disappointment and optimism. Raducanu’s struggles with closing matches remain a concern, but Kartal’s continued rise suggests a new contender may be emerging to share the spotlight.
