‘Focused’ Emma Raducanu battles past Yuan Yue in straight sets to reach to Korea Open quarterfinals
Emma Raducanu did not let frustration get to her and stayed focused to beat Yuan Yue and reach her first quarterfinals since the Citi Open.
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Emma Raducanu (via Independent)
Emma Raducanu has stated that she stayed very focused on the task at hand to wrap up her excellent all-round performance against Chinese Yuan Yue in the second round of the Korea Open. The British star beat the eighth seed to reach her first quarterfinals since the Citi Open in August.
Before arriving in Seoul, Raducanu had suffered a disappointing defeat against Sofia Kenin in the first round of the US Open. She was criticized for not opting to skip the Canadian and Cincinnati Open after failing to earn a wildcard from the tournament organizers. However, at the Korea Open, the 21-year-old has shown grit and determination on the court.
Raducanu began her Seoul campaign with hard fought 7-6(4), 7-6 (5) victory over American Peyton Stearns. Against World No. 40 Yue in the second round, she proved she could step up her game when needed. The Brit edged ahead in the first set after a slow start. In the second set, after going 3-0 up, she allowed Yuan to come into the match, drawing level.
However, despite the frustration, Raducanu went on to win the remaining three points to see off Yuan 6-4, 6-3. In her on-court interview, she revealed that despite losing back-to-back points in the second set, she did not let the frustration get to her.
I think the key to my success today is trying to let go of any frustration that happened. You know, in the closing of the match, I lost a lot of points, couldn't convert. I just stayed focused and finally breaking in the last game.Emma Raducanu said
On court interview#EmmaRaducanu | #Raducanu pic.twitter.com/JPzVUyf0sa
— Emma Raducanu Fans (@RaducanuNews) September 19, 2024
Raducanu’s best run at the Korea Open was a quarterfinal run in 2022, exiting the tournament after losing to Magda Linette. She will be hoping to get past the last eight this time around when she faces either Daria Kasatkina or Hailey Baptiste.
Emma Raducanu feeling at home in Asia after earning two straight-set victories
Emma Raducanu has admitted that she feels at home in Asia after her win second straight-set win at the Korea Open. This season, the 21-year-old skipped a lot of matches after not getting a wildcard. However, in the Asian swing, the British star hopes to end the year well by playing as many matches as she can.
I skipped quite a few weeks over the clay knowing that I’m at the stage where I’m not trying to win every event on the clay, on the grass and hard. I have to prioritise and Asia was one of those for me. So I stacked the year on the backend heavy, because I’m excited. I thrive in Asia. It’s where I truly feel like home.Emma Raducanu said (via Tennis365)
Raducanu, who is World No. 70, will rise 16 places after beating Yue Yuan to reach the quarterfinals of the Korea Open. If she wins her last eight match, she will climb into the Top 50 for the first time in almost two years.
After the Korea Open, Raducanu will compete at the China Open in Beijing, which gets underway from September 25 to October 6. She is also going to compete in Hong Kong, which kicks off at the end of October.
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Victor Okechukwu
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