TORONTO — Emma Raducanu's Canadian Open campaign came to a dramatic and controversial end as she fell to Amanda Anisimova in a tense three-set battle marred by accusations of gamesmanship and a lingering grudge between the two players. The 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 defeat marked another early exit for the 2021 US Open champion, who struggled to find consistency against an aggressive Anisimova.
A Match Fraught With Tension
From the outset, the match carried an edge rarely seen in early-round WTA Tour encounters. The tension stemmed from their previous meeting at Wimbledon 2022, where Anisimova accused Raducanu of receiving excessive medical timeouts during their second-round clash. That history resurfaced in Toronto when Anisimova questioned a late bathroom break taken by Raducanu after the second set. "It's becoming a pattern with her," Anisimova was heard telling the chair umpire.
The third set saw multiple contentious moments:
- A disputed line call at 3-3 that Raducanu unsuccessfully challenged
- An extended medical timeout for Raducanu to treat blisters
- Audible frustration from Anisimova about perceived delaying tactics
Raducanu's Struggles Continue
The loss extends Raducanu's difficult 2023 season, where she's yet to advance past the quarterfinals of any tournament. Her first serve percentage dipped to just 52% against Anisimova, while she converted only 3 of 11 break point opportunities. "I'm still building back my confidence match by match," Raducanu told reporters afterward.
By the Numbers
The statistics reveal a stark contrast between the players:
- Anisimova: 38 winners to 32 unforced errors
- Raducanu: 19 winners to 41 unforced errors
- Net points won: Anisimova 12/18 (67%) vs Raducanu 5/11 (45%)
Post-Match Fallout
The drama continued off-court when Anisimova gave a terse post-match interview: "I just focused on playing my game and not getting distracted by whatever was happening on the other side." When pressed about the bathroom break controversy, she added: "The rules are there for a reason."
Raducanu took a more diplomatic approach: "Amanda played really well today. I had my chances but couldn't take them. As for the breaks, I was just following the rules and dealing with some physical issues that come with playing back-to-back matches."
Expert Reactions
Tennis analysts were divided on the controversy. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman commented: "Emma needs to be careful about how these breaks are perceived. The optics matter in these tight matches." Meanwhile, Pam Shriver defended Raducanu: "Players have every right to use the rules to their advantage when dealing with legitimate physical issues."
What's Next for Both Players
Anisimova advances to face top seed Iga Swiatek in what promises to be a thrilling third-round encounter. The American appears to be regaining her form after taking a mental health break earlier this season. "I'm just happy to be competing again with clarity and purpose," she said.
For Raducanu, the focus shifts to Cincinnati and then the US Open, where she'll attempt to defend her ranking points from last year's second-round appearance. Her coach, Sebastian Sachs, emphasized: "The progress might not always show in results, but we're seeing improvements in practice every day."
The Bigger Picture
This match highlights growing tensions around sportsmanship in women's tennis. The WTA has recently tightened its rules on medical timeouts and bathroom breaks following several high-profile controversies. A tour spokesperson confirmed: "We're monitoring all matches closely to ensure fair play while allowing players to address legitimate medical needs."
As the dust settles on this grudge match, both players will need to regroup quickly. For Anisimova, it's another step in her comeback journey. For Raducanu, it's back to the drawing board as she searches for the form that made her a Grand Slam champion less than two years ago.