Emma Raducanu was spotted crying during her first round match at the Korea Open. She defeated Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
Raducanu entered Seoul after a third-round exit in New York. After crusing past Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen in the first two rounds, she was eliminated by Elena Rybakina in the third.
The Brit looked visibly frustrated in the first set against Cristian at the Korea Open. After struggling with tough conditions in Seoul and playing some long railles on court, she lost her composure early on.
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Raducanu has raised her level this year after constant criticism on tour. Apart from quarterfinal runs in Queen's Club and Miami, she also reached the last four in Washington.
The 22-year-old spoke about her victory against Cristian and felt relieved to come out on top.
"Super happy to have won today,” said Emma Raducanu in her on-court interview. “It hasn’t been easy, I feel like I’ve played this match the last three days. To have pulled through after waiting, I’m super pleased with how I came through."
The Brit also spoke about her opponent and credited her for putting up a stern challenge in this bout.
“Jaqueline is a really tough opponent and had great results recently. Tough conditions, very slow, long rallies, long points, so happy to have gotten through," Emma Raducanu added
Emma Raducanu will take on Barbora Krejcikova in the second round of the Korea Open 2025
Emma Raducanu will lock horns with Barbora Krejcikova in the second round of the Korea Open. She has never faced the Czech in the past.
While Raducanu edged past Cristian, Krejcikova defeated Back Da-Yeon in the first-round. She humbled the youngster in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2.
Krejcikova has had a difficult season so far. She missed the few months due to injury and returned at the Strasbourg International in May.
The Czech has since registered quarterfinal runs in Eastbourne and New York. She also reached the last 16 in Cincinnati, but lost to Jasmine Paolini in straight sets.
Krejcikova is also a part of the doubles competition in Seoul alongside Katerina Siniakova. The duo will face Hsieh Su-Wei and Jacqueline Cristian in the first round.
Raducanu and Krejcikova are scheduled to play on Thursday in the afternoon session. The winner of this round will take on either either Maya Joint or Clara Tauson in the last four.
