Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, kicked off her Korea Open campaign with a hard-fought victory, showcasing her resilience and determination. Raducanu, ranked 70th in the world, faced a tough challenge against American Peyton Stearns, ranked 48th, in a match that stretched over two hours and 43 minutes under sweltering conditions.
Despite the heat and the tenacious opponent, Raducanu emerged victorious, winning 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5). The match was a testament to her grit, as she had to dig deep to overcome a determined Stearns.
“I’m proud to have made it through to the next round,” said the 21-year-old Raducanu, who is unseeded in the tournament. “Thank you to everyone for sticking around and watching us. It was tough, it was very humid, the balls were bouncing around a lot.”
Raducanu’s next opponent will be China’s Yue Yuan, the eighth seed.
The match was a roller coaster of emotions for Raducanu. She stormed out to a 4-1 lead in the first set, but Stearns fought back, forcing the set to a tiebreak. Raducanu ultimately edged out the first set, but Stearns continued to pose a threat in the second set, pushing Raducanu to the brink. Raducanu eventually prevailed in the second-set tiebreak, clinching the match in straight sets.
“It was a tough match to get through,” added Raducanu. “I haven’t played many matches in the last few months and Peyton is a really good player in really good form, so I’m pretty pleased.”
The win comes as Raducanu attempts to regain momentum and build upon her US Open triumph. The Korea Open represents a crucial opportunity for the young Brit to demonstrate her abilities on the court.
Raducanu’s success was not the only highlight of the day. American Hailey Baptiste also advanced to the second round after defeating compatriot and former US Open champion Sloane Stephens 7-6 (7/4), 6-2. However, the sixth seed, Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan, was knocked out after a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) loss to American Amanda Anisimova.
Play was delayed for 45 minutes at the start of the day due to the extreme heat.
