Emma Raducanu impressive in defeat as Elina Svitolina advances to ASB Classic quarter-finals in Auckland
Published 04/01/2024 at 10:10 GMT
Elina Svitolina emerged victorious from a high-quality match with Emma Raducanu to reach the ASB Classic quarter-finals. The pair put on a stunning show in the opening two sets before the Ukrainian ripped away to victory in the decider as Raducanu, playing just her second match since last April, wilted. Stream the 2024 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+.
'It's just the beginning' - Raducanu 'excited' for rest of the season
Video credit: SNTV
Emma Raducanu produced some encouraging tennis, but was ultimately unable to see off Elina Svitolina as she lost in the ASB Classic second round on Thursday.
The 21-year-old – making just her second appearance since having a triple surgery in April – more than matched her opponent in the first two sets in a lively encounter, but she faded in the decider as Svitolina advanced 6-7(5) 7-6(3) 6-1.
Despite the meek ending, it has been an encouraging tournament for Raducanu, who also discovered she will go straight into the main draw for the Australian Open after several withdrawals. The first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne kicks off on January 14, live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Raducanu, sporting heavy strapping on her right thigh, raced into a 5-1 lead in the opening set after twice cracking the second seed's serve – playing some of her best tennis since her shock run to the US Open title as a teenage qualifier in 2021.
But Svitolina adjusted and began to absorb the Brit's searing heat from the baseline, sensationally cancelling out the double break before nudging ahead 6-5.
Raducanu finally snapped a five-game losing streak with the first love hold of the match to force a tie-break, where she quickly cancelled out an early mini-break after some outrageous defence in the forehand corner.
A beautiful pressure drop shot soon carved out two set points for the Brit, who then bounced back from a double-fault to take the set with another fine point.
A chaotic start to the second set saw four service breaks in six games – featuring untimely double-faults from both players – before Raducanu delighted the crowd with a quickfire double volley at the net to earn an opening at 4-3 0-30.
Two break points soon followed but Svitolina, who was becoming a little wayward from the back of the court, dismissed them as the set stayed on serve. Another tie-break beckoned – and it proved to be the turning point.
Raducanu looked in control after taking a 3-1 lead in the breaker, only for two tight forehands to gift her opponent the chance to level the match. Svitolina did not blink and it was one set apiece.
Raducanu, excellent in the opening two hours and 20 minutes, began to wilt as Svitolina piled on the pressure at the start of the third set. One break quickly became two and suddenly Raducanu was serving to stay in the match at 5-0 down.
The Brit did get on the scoreboard after showing fine resolve from 15-30, but it only delayed Svitolina's triumph as the Ukrainian sealed a fine victory on her third match point.
Svitolina will face Czech fifth seed Marie Bouzkova – a 6-0 6-1 winner over Amanda Anisimova – in the quarter-finals.
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