LONDON — Emma Raducanu’s highly anticipated revenge mission against Aryna Sabalenka ended in heartbreak as the British star narrowly fell in a gripping three-set battle at the Stuttgart Open. The 21-year-old, who had vowed to avenge her previous defeat to the Belarusian, pushed the world No. 2 to the brink before succumbing 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(5) in a match that lasted over two hours.
Raducanu, playing her first clay-court tournament of the season, showcased her trademark resilience and shot-making ability, but Sabalenka’s relentless power and experience proved decisive in the tiebreak. "It was a brutal match," Sabalenka admitted afterward. "Emma’s a fighter, and she made me work for every point. I knew I had to bring my best to get through."
A Rollercoaster Encounter
The match began with Sabalenka asserting her dominance early, breaking Raducanu twice in the opening set with her thunderous groundstrokes. The Brit struggled to find her rhythm, committing 12 unforced errors as Sabalenka closed out the first set 6-3.
However, Raducanu responded emphatically in the second set, adjusting her tactics to counter Sabalenka’s aggression:
- She employed more slice backhands to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm.
- She stepped inside the baseline to take time away from the Belarusian.
- Her first-serve percentage improved dramatically, climbing from 58% in the first set to 75%.
The tactical shift paid off as Raducanu broke Sabalenka twice to level the match, sealing the second set 6-3. "I knew I had to be more aggressive," Raducanu said post-match. "Aryna doesn’t give you anything for free, so I had to take my chances."
A Nail-Biting Decider
The third set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve until 5-5. Raducanu saved two break points in the 11th game with fearless net approaches, but Sabalenka’s relentless pressure finally told in the tiebreak. A double fault from Raducanu at 5-6 handed Sabalenka the victory, leaving the Brit visibly devastated.
Despite the loss, Raducanu’s performance drew praise from analysts. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman remarked, "This was Emma’s best match since her US Open win. She went toe-to-toe with one of the best players in the world and almost pulled it off."
What’s Next for Raducanu?
Raducanu will now shift her focus to the Madrid Open, where she’ll look to build on her encouraging Stuttgart display. Her improved fitness and tactical adaptability suggest she’s nearing her best form after a challenging 2023 season marred by injuries.
Key takeaways from her performance:
- Her movement on clay has significantly improved.
- She’s developing a more varied game plan to counter big hitters.
- Her mental resilience was evident in tight moments.
Sabalenka’s Road Ahead
For Sabalenka, the win keeps her on track for a deep run in Stuttgart, where she’s eyeing her third title of the year. The Australian Open champion remains a favorite on clay, having reached the semifinals at Roland Garros in 2023. "Every match is a battle," she said. "I’m just happy to get through this one."
Conclusion
While Raducanu’s revenge mission fell short, her performance against Sabalenka signals a promising resurgence. The Brit’s ability to push a top-2 player to the limit on clay bodes well for her upcoming tournaments. As for Sabalenka, her victory reinforces her status as one of the tour’s most formidable competitors. Tennis fans can only hope for a rematch later this season.
"I’ll learn from this," Raducanu vowed in her post-match press conference. "Next time, I’ll be ready."