Emma Raducanu has advanced to the second round of the Korea Open as she defeated Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 at Seoul.
The match started intensely, with Raducanu needing to save four break points just to keep her first game. Cristian then took the early lead by converting her fourth break point of that game and eighth overall, making it 2-1. Raducanu bounced back, avoiding a double break and breaking Cristian’s serve to even the score in the following game.
The momentum shifted toward Raducanu as she built a 5-3 lead, helped by Cristian’s two double faults, setting herself up to serve for the set. Cristian fought back, quickly going 2-0 up after winning her 15th break point, and the players exchanged breaks in succession, leaving Raducanu behind 2-3.
Raducanu held her serve to level the match at 3-3, then broke Cristian again to go 5-4, giving her the chance to serve for the match. Cristian kept fighting and nearly forced a deciding set by gaining a 0-30 lead on Raducanu’s serve, but Raducanu battled back, saved a break point, and secured the victory.
An emotional Raducanu told the media that she has not had it easy, it’s been a rollercoaster ride, but she’s happy about her result. “I’m super happy to have won today.
“It hasn’t been easy, I feel like I’ve played this match the last three days so to pull through after waiting I’m super pleased with how I came through.
“She’s a really tough opponent, tough conditions, very slow rallies and long points so happy to have gone through.”
The 22-year-old will now face Barbora Krejcikova, this will be the first time both tennis players meet. Krejcikova advanced to the second round of the 2025 Korea Open by thrashing Russian qualifier Tatiana Prozorova 6-1, 6-2.
