Welcome to the Korea Open the place we will probably be masking Emma Raducanu’s second spherical match towards Yue Yuan of China.
Raducanu is on Centre Court following the conclusion of the match between Ajla Tomljanović and Beatriz Haddad Maja.
The 21-year-old must get a run of matches below her belt having performed solely three within the final seven weeks. She determined towards enjoying qualifying matches in Toronto and Cincinnati within the construct as much as the US Open — a ploy which backfired as she was eradicated in straight units at Flushing Meadows by Sofia Kenin.
She got here by means of an actual dogfight within the first spherical right here “toughing it out” to beat Payton Stearns 7-6, 7-6 an energy-sapping two hours and 43 minutes. It was a contest during which each gamers struggled to carry serve and which Raducanu likened to “playing at altitude” such was the liveliness of a court docket which brought on the balls to bounce somewhat larger than regular.
The Briton will probably be happy with the grit she confirmed to return by means of that take a look at whereas not enjoying at her greatest however is aware of she wants to search out some kind towards a Chinese opponent ranked 30 locations larger (40) than her on the planet.
Raducanu will climb to round 60 on the planet no matter what occurs at present such is the compressed nature of the grouping between the highest 50 and 100, however with various high gamers, resembling Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek, having pulled out of this match there are a lot extra factors up for grabs
As a lot as something Raducanu must go deep in a match to show that reaching the quarter-finals of the Washington Open in August was no fluke and that she will be able to as soon as once more compete on the highest stage, having had a 12 months of her profession written off by ankle and wrist accidents. She would additionally wish to get within the groove forward of the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Malaga in November.
Like Raducanu, Yuan was additionally knocked out of the US Open within the first spherical, coming undone towards Erika Andreeva, however she has had a very good 2024 basically, profitable her maiden WTA title on the ATX Open earlier this season and reaching a career-best rating of 36 on the again of some stable shows.
In the primary spherical right here Yuan struggled to search out her ft towards qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, shedding her serve thrice within the opening set earlier than coming by means of 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in simply over two hours.
This is the primary assembly between Raducanu and Yuan, who at 5ft 10in, has three inches on the 2021 US Open champion. The Briton will really feel she has the beating of the 25-year-old, although, as her 60 per cent win price for 2024 (18 victories from 30 matches) is superior to Yuan’s 54.5 per cent (24 from 44).
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