Emma Raducanu sank to a crushing loss to Jessica Pegula at the China Open, but she received high praise for her performance.
The British No. 1 had three match points against the American in a second-set tie-break, but failed to convert any, before getting bagelled in the decider.
Raducanu was tipped to reach the WTA top 20 before the year was out, and she looked impressive against the World No. 7.
The star was compared to Rafael Nadal during the second set against Pegula, in which she showed a very high level.
Emma Raducanu’s movement likened to Rafael Nadal at the China Open
Raducanu has shown signs of improvement under new coach Francisco Roig, and Sky Sports commentators Peter Odgers and Annabel Croft pointed out what Rafael Nadal’s former coach is bringing to the Brit.
“The way she’s moving. Whatever the drills Francisco Roig used to do with Nadal, I think he’s been doing the same with Raducanu,” said Odgers before Croft applauded the Brit for her work on the court.
“It feels that way, that’s for sure,” added Croft. “She looks very, very well prepared. Very fit, ready to go the long haul in some of these exchanges.
“It feels like she’s more on top of some of those exchanges at the baseline. And it’s the court line position, right up on the baseline.”
Raducanu is expected to appear at the next WTA 1000 event at the Wuhan Open, where she’ll be looking to put the loss Pegula loss out of her mind.
Emma Raducanu continues worrying trend at the China Open
Raducanu’s inability to close out games has been heightened in recent weeks after failing to convert match points against Pegula.
The British No. 1 suffered the same fate against Barbora Krejčíková at the Korea Open so it’s certainly something Roig will be looking to stamp out of Raducanu.
While it’s impressive that Raducanu is going toe-to-toe with some of the greats on the tour, and looking impressive while she does it, she will need to become more ruthless to crack the top 20.
Raducanu’s aim for the rest of the year should be to cement her place in the top 32 of the WTA Tour rankings and earn seeded entry into the Australian Open.
