BEIJING — Emma Raducanu's promising run at the China Open came to a heartbreaking halt on Wednesday as she squandered three match points in a dramatic final-set tiebreak, ultimately falling to world number four Jessica Pegula 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-6(6) in a grueling last-32 encounter.
The match, which stretched over two hours and forty-five minutes, was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, showcasing Raducanu's resurgent fighting spirit and formidable ball-striking. However, it was ultimately defined by a handful of crucial points where the American's experience and steadiness prevailed, handing the 2021 US Open champion a bitter defeat that mirrored her recent loss to Jelena Ostapenko in Seoul, where she also failed to convert a match point.
A Battle of Nerves and Power
From the outset, the match was a compelling contrast in styles. Pegula, the top-ranked American and a model of consistency, looked to use her flat, powerful groundstrokes to dictate play from the baseline. Raducanu, riding a wave of confidence from her recent victories, countered with aggressive returning and a willingness to step into the court, taking time away from the higher-ranked opponent.
The first set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve relatively comfortably until the tiebreak. There, Pegula's precision and Raducanu's unforced errors combined to give the American a commanding lead, which she sealed 7-2. It seemed as though the occasion and Pegula's relentless pressure might be too much for the Briton to handle.
The Raducanu Fightback
Undeterred by the first-set loss, Raducanu mounted a spirited comeback in the second. She began to find more success on her return, breaking Pegula's serve early and maintaining her aggressive posture. Her backhand, a weapon of pinpoint accuracy when firing, was particularly effective, painting the lines and forcing errors from Pegula.
Raducanu's level of play in the second set was a stark reminder of the talent that propelled her to a historic Grand Slam title. She moved well, struck the ball cleanly, and, most importantly, played without the fear that has sometimes plagued her since her breakthrough. She broke Pegula a second time to take the set 6-3, forcing a decider and sending a jolt of excitement through the Beijing crowd.
A Decider for the Ages
The final set was a brutal test of physical and mental fortitude. Both players exchanged breaks of serve, with neither able to establish a decisive advantage. Raducanu saved a break point at 4-4 with a fearless forehand winner, a moment that seemed to signal a shift in her favor. The set inevitably marched towards a tiebreak, setting the stage for the match's gut-wrenching conclusion.
In the tiebreak, Raducanu seized the initiative, building a 6-3 lead and earning three separate opportunities to claim the biggest win of her comeback. The victory was within her grasp. Yet, on the precipice of a monumental upset, the match slipped away.
On her first match point, a forehand from Raducanu sailed just long. On the second, Pegula unleashed a blistering cross-court backhand that was simply unreturnable. The third and final match point saw Raducanu net a backhand, a uncharacteristic error under the immense pressure. Pegula, a seasoned competitor, reeled off the next five points in a row to clinch the victory, her resilience in the face of defeat proving the difference.
Post-Match Reactions and Analysis
In her post-match press conference, a visibly disappointed Raducanu was pragmatic yet clearly stung by the missed opportunity. "It's definitely a tough one to swallow," she admitted. "I had my chances. I was 6-3 up in the tiebreak. I just need to review what I can do better in those moments. It's small margins."
She was, however, able to take positives from her overall performance and the week in Beijing, which included a straight-sets win over recent top-10 player Daria Kasatkina. "I'm playing good tennis. I'm competing. I'm in the match."
Pegula, for her part, was full of praise for her opponent's level. "She was playing really well. She was playing really aggressive. She was playing like she had nothing to lose, and she definitely took it to me," Pegula said.
The American credited her own mental toughness for seeing her through the crisis. "I just tried to hang in there. I told myself to just make her play, make balls, and see if she gets tight, and I think that's what happened in the end."
Key Takeaways from the Match
While the loss is undoubtedly painful for Raducanu and her supporters, the performance contained several encouraging signs that her game is trending in the right direction after a year marred by injuries and inconsistent results.
- Aggressive Intent: Raducanu consistently looked to be the aggressor, stepping inside the baseline to take Pegula's second serve early and dictate rallies with her forehand.
- Physical Condition: To compete at such a high level for nearly three hours against a top-five player is a testament to the improved physical conditioning she has demonstrated since her return from surgery.
- Mental Fortitude: While the finish will dominate headlines, her ability to battle back after losing the first set and to push a top player to the absolute limit shows significant mental progress.
The primary area for improvement remains clear: closing out matches against the elite. Converting those critical points is the final, and most difficult, step in a player's development.
Looking Ahead for Raducanu
Despite the defeat, Raducanu's ranking is projected to rise significantly, moving her closer to the top 150 as she continues her climb back up the WTA ladder. The points and confidence gained from this week will be invaluable as the season concludes.
Her immediate schedule is expected to include more tournaments to capitalize on her current form and build match sharpness. The performance in Beijing, though ending in defeat, sends a clear message to the rest of the tour: a healthy and confident Emma Raducanu remains a formidable opponent capable of challenging the very best.
The sting of this loss will linger, but the overarching narrative from the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing is one of promise. Raducanu proved she can trade blows with a Grand Slam contender. The next, and most crucial, step is learning how to deliver the final knockout punch.