Emma Raducanu, although absent from the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivered her own brand of sporting drama at the Washington Open. The 21-year-old Brit showcased her resilience and determination, overcoming Elise Mertens in a late-night match that tested her to the limits. The encounter, which concluded close to midnight, saw Raducanu push through jet lag and fatigue to secure a hard-fought victory with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
A Grueling Contest
Raducanu’s victory was marked by her ability to fend off five break points in a challenging third set, ultimately setting up a second-round match against either Peyton Stearns or Clervie Ngounoue. Opting to compete in the hard-court tournament rather than representing Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Raducanu expressed no regrets about her decision.
Focused Determination
Reflecting on the match, Raducanu said, “I was playing some pretty good tennis in patches throughout, especially in the first set and moments in the third set. I lost some focus in the second. It’s not easy playing at 11:30. I got here Thursday night so I’m still jet-lagged.”
Determined to not let her efforts go to waste, Raducanu added, “I was telling myself, ‘I’m not leaving. This is not happening. You’re not losing this match.’ I’ve been training and playing so good in practice. On the court, I was telling myself: ‘Look, you’ve been so focused for so long. There’s no way you’re not going to try right now. You’re going to fight until the very end. You didn’t put all that work in for nothing.’ I’m happy with how I pulled myself out of it, but I do need to focus.”
Familiar Foe
This victory came against a familiar opponent, as Raducanu had previously defeated Mertens in a second-round match at Wimbledon earlier this month. However, the Washington Open clash proved to be a more turbulent affair, with five breaks of serve in the opening set. Despite an initial missed opportunity to serve for the set at 5-3, Raducanu managed to draw first blood on Mertens’ serve.
Topsy-Turvy Battle
The second set saw Raducanu losing her focus, allowing Mertens to capitalize and level the match. Mertens clinched the set 6-3, after Raducanu let a 40-0 lead slip away in a crucial game.
Decisive Moments
The deciding set was a nail-biter, with Raducanu showcasing her tenacity. She saved five break points in a game that extended to deuce six times, achieving a crucial hold at 4-3. Following this, she secured an emphatic break to widen her lead. However, Mertens fought back, breaking Raducanu’s serve with relative ease. Undeterred, Raducanu broke Mertens’ serve for the sixth and final time to close out the match, concluding a grueling contest and securing her spot in the next round.
