Emma Raducanu: British number two loses at Singapore Open
Britain’s Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing defeat against world number 101 Christina Buxa of Spain in the opening round of the Singapore Open.
The 22-year-old was playing for the first time since a 6-1, 6-0 third-round defeat to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and it was reported that her coach Nick Cavaday was stepping down from his role to “prioritise a full comeback”. Are retreating. Health”.
But in a grueling match lasting three hours and three minutes and with 17 service breaks, Buksa prevailed 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 against the seventh seed in the pair’s first meeting.
The Spaniard raced to a 5-4 lead in the opening set, but 56th-ranked Raducanu took the match with a dominant performance in the next three games.
The second set began with three consecutive service breaks, giving Buxa leads 3–1 and then 4–2, but Raducanu continued to fight back and went 5–4 up in the second set of three consecutive games. But Buxa responded with the next three breaks. Game to tie the match.
In the decider, both players struggled to hold serve, but a tired Raducanu led 5-4, but Buxa held on and then broke his opponent at a crucial moment to seal the match. Left the service.
The British number two saved a few match points but Olympic women’s doubles bronze medalist Buxa immediately earned another point and this time Raducanu converted.
In the last 16, Buxa will face either Sijia Wei of China or Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand.
