In a gritty performance, Emma Raducanu fought through fatigue and a tough opponent to secure her spot in the round of 16 at the Washington Open. The young British star faced off against Elise Mertens in a late-night thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Raducanu, who had been feeling the effects of her travels to the United States, dug deep to push through the challenges she faced on court. Despite a strong start in the first set, she found herself struggling to maintain her level of play as Mertens fought back in the second set.
“It’s not easy playing at 11.30. I got here Thursday night so I’m still jet lagged. I was telling myself, ‘I’m not leaving. This is not happening. You’re not losing this match,'” Raducanu shared after her hard-fought victory.
The match, which was delayed due to rain, stretched late into the night as the clock struck past midnight. Raducanu’s initial dominance seemed to waver as Mertens found her rhythm and pushed the British player to her limits.
After a back-and-forth battle in the final set, Raducanu ultimately prevailed, breaking Mertens in the 10th game to secure the win. The victory sets up a promising round-of-16 clash for Raducanu, who will face the winner of the match between Peyton Stearns and Clervie Ngounoue.
“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,” Raducanu reflected on her performance.
Despite the challenges she faced, Raducanu’s determination and resilience shone through as she advanced in the tournament. With her sights set on further success, the young star is proving herself to be a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.
