Emma Raducanu fell short in a grueling Washington quarter-final against former world No 2 Paula Badosa on Friday evening. The 21-year-old British player seemed poised to reach her most significant semi-final since her US Open victory three years prior when she took a 3-1 lead in the third set. However, Badosa fought back in the sweltering heat to clinch a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win after two and a quarter hours of intense play.
Raducanu, still navigating her return from wrist and ankle surgery, opted to compete in the WTA 500 event instead of joining Team GB at the Paris Olympics. She wanted to avoid transitioning back to the Roland Garros clay before making her anticipated comeback at the US Open, where she achieved her historic win in 2021.
After already defeating Elise Mertens and Peyton Stearns in the American capital, Raducanu began strongly against Badosa, breaking serve right from the first game. The Spaniard, who Raducanu had practiced and lunched with before the tournament, managed to stay close throughout the first set but couldn’t create a single break point. Raducanu, exuding confidence on serve, sealed the first set with her third set point after 49 minutes of play.
Badosa finally had an opportunity for a break point early in the second set, but Raducanu responded with an impressive ace down the center to avert the danger. However, Badosa began to apply pressure on the scoreboard, and at 6-5, she was able to convert her third set point when Raducanu netted a crucial volley.
As the temperature soared to 36C (96.8F), the players were given a five-minute break, after which Raducanu quickly gained a break at the start of the final set. Yet, following a double fault from Raducanu, Badosa leveled the score at 3-3. The Spaniard then saved three break points in the subsequent game, with one point won via a second-serve ace. Carrying the momentum, Badosa broke for a 5-3 lead.
Nonetheless, Raducanu, Britain’s last active player to hold a grand slam singles title since Andy Murray’s retirement, had other plans. She saved a match point with a remarkable winner down the line and managed to break back. Unfortunately, the match—so deserving of a different conclusion—ended when a fatigued Raducanu double-faulted on Badosa’s second match point.
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Badosa will challenge world No 49 Caroline Dolehide, who triumphed over fellow American Amanda Anisimova with a score of 7-6 (5) 6-1, in Saturday’s semi-final.
