Emma Raducanu is poised to move back into the top 70 of the WTA Rankings following her performance at the Citi D.C. Open in Washington. However, she missed an opportunity to climb further after a hard-fought three-set loss to Paula Badosa.
Raducanu, who made an impressive run to the fourth round of Wimbledon last month, had already secured a return to the top 100 of the WTA Rankings. Her strong showing in Washington further boosted her ranking, as she climbed 20 places to reach No. 69 in the live rankings.
In Washington, Raducanu began with a challenging three-set victory over Elise Mertens, followed by a more straightforward win against Peyton Stearns in the second round. These performances propelled her up the rankings, setting her up for a promising summer.
Her quarterfinal match against Badosa, a close friend and former world No. 2, was always going to be a tough contest. Badosa, who had fallen outside the top 100 earlier this year but made a strong comeback with a solid Wimbledon run, was aiming to break back into the top 60.
The match proved to be a dramatic affair. Raducanu showcased her aggressive play in the first set, but Badosa’s experience shone through in the second set, forcing a decider. The crowd in D.C. was treated to an exhilarating contest. Raducanu managed to break Badosa’s serve as the Spaniard was serving for the match in the third set and saved a match point, suggesting a possible comeback.
Despite Raducanu’s valiant effort, Badosa regained her composure and ultimately secured a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory. This win is crucial for Badosa as it boosts her ranking significantly. By reaching the semifinals, she is projected to rise 12 spots, returning her to the top 50 and currently standing as a projected world No. 50.
Badosa will face American Caroline Dolehide in the semifinals. Dolehide advanced after a 7-6(5), 6-1 victory over Amanda Anisimova, becoming the last American in the tournament.
In other developments, top seed Aryna Sabalenka, ranked No. 3 in the world, progressed to the semifinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka. Sabalenka will play against Marie Bouzkova, who ended wildcard Robin Montgomery’s run. The tournament continues to promise thrilling matchups as the final four are set.
Leave a Reply