Forty-eight days after Emma Raducanu’s last victory on the tour, she finally has another – and both wins happened to come against the same opponent: 22-year-old American college graduate Peyton Stearns.
On Tuesday, these two young players fought out a sweaty, tense and unpredictable match in the opening round of the WTA 500 event in Seoul.
Despite some excellent points here and there, it wasn’t the cleanest of contests, with the combined total of unforced errors running to a hefty 110 in just two sets.
But Raducanu showed no little grit to edge through in a pair of tie-breaks: 7-6, 7-6. On a physical level, she must have been desperate to avoid a deciding set, because those first two had already occupied a draining two hours and 43 minutes.
“I don’t think either of us were playing particularly great tennis,” said Raducanu, who will now face China’s Yue Yuan in the second round on Thursday. “It was more of a dogfight. The conditions were very humid so it was a tough two sets. If it had gone to three it would have been very interesting. Peyton has had a lot more tennis under her belt than me in the last couple of months so I am just proud of finding a way.”
In her on-court interview, Raducanu also explained that “the balls were bouncing around all over the place”, which might seem like a prerequisite for this sport. What she meant was that the courts were lively, setting up a lot of high rallies that favoured Stearns’s heavy top-spin.
“It jumps a lot off the court and gets very high,” Raducanu clarified in the interview room after the match “It felt like playing at altitude a little bit. I lost my rhythm on serve, and everything followed from that. It just became ‘Who’s gonna tough it out and win the mental battle?’ None of us were particularly happy with the way we were playing but some matches are like that.
“At 5-6 down [in set two], I was struggling to get the ball in the court. I was just like ‘If I’m gonna lose the set, I’m gonna hit the ball, because this is kind of miserable the way I’m playing right now, so just go for it.’ I think I won seven points in a row. I was just aiming to dictate the first shot so that she wasn’t able to hit so spinny and so high. In the tie-break I think I was just caring less to be honest and it paid off.”
The world No 48, Stearns has plenty of upside to her game, including one of the biggest forehands on the tour. But she also shows a tendency to become tight and tentative, especially when serving.
Throughout this match, there was zero advantage in being the server. Both women finished with no better than a 50 per cent success rate in their own games, as well as matching tallies of eight double-faults apiece.
As neither player looked comfortable as a front-runner, there were regular swings in momentum. Raducanu won four of the first five games against a misfiring opponent, but was then caught unawares by a Stearns resurgence, losing the next four games on the bounce.
In another up-and-down sequence, Raducanu also served for victory in the second set at 5-3, only to slip back to 5-6 amid that “miserable” sequence of misses that she mentioned earlier. The result thus came down to the two tie-breaks, and it was Raducanu who had the cooler head in those moments.
Her reward will be a decent boost on the rankings ladder, whatever happens against Yue on Thursday. Her area of the table is so crowded that the 60 points she earned by reaching the last 16 will carry her up something like ten places, to around No60 in the world.
Raducanu had only played two other matches over the seven weeks since her last meeting with Stearns, which delivered a 7-6, 6-2 win in Washington. She was eliminated in the next round of that tournament by eventual champion Paula Badosa, and then opted out of playing qualifying in either Toronto or Cincinnati. For context, Stearns has played 11 matches in that time, winning seven of them.
After going to New York for the US Open, Raducanu was beaten in straight sets by former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. In a tearful post-match press conference, she acknowledged that she had gone into the tournament with a shortage of matches, and said “I think I can learn from it and manage my schedule slightly differently.”
With Beijing to play next, and then Hong Kong, there’s an opportunity for Raducanu to gather some significant court-time before the British women travel to Malaga in November for the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
Raducanu edges past Stearns: As it happened
11:53 AM BST
The winning moment
11:44 AM BST
Raducanu reacts
I’m proud to have made it through to the next round. It was tough. It was very humid, the ball was bouncing around a lot.
It was a tough match to get through. I haven’t played many matches in the last few months and Peyton, she’s a really good player and on really good form. I’m really pleased.
11:34 AM BST
Raducanu 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) Stearns
Forehand too short by Stearns and she is punished by a Raducanu forehand winner, 4-2. Another Sterns error, 5-2.
Sterns produces a forehand winner 5-3. Late call but Raducanu’s forehand is called out, 5-5.
Brilliant from Raducanu as she drills a forehand down the line for a winner and a match point, 6-5.
Raducanu is forced to scramble after a deep Stearns return, the American doesn’t do enough with a drop shot and gets punished as Raducanu races up to the ball and hits a forehand winner, 7-5
GAME SET MATCH RADUCANU.
11:28 AM BST
Raducanu 7-6, 6-6 Stearns – Tiebreak
A brilliant backhand return by Raducanu – blasts past Stearns 1-0. The Briton’s forehand down the line catches the line for a winner 2-0.
Brilliant striking from Stearns who wins the point with backhand winner 2-1. Great composure from the American as she drills the forehand down the line for a winner 2-2.
Then Raducanu responds with a backhand winner to make it 3-2.
11:20 AM BST
Raducanu 7-6, 6-6 Stearns*
Brilliant from the American as she blasts a forehand return down the line for a winner, 15-30. A wild backhand from Raducanu goes into the tramlines – 15-40.
Raducanu goes for too much with a backhand on the first. Stearns’ return is short, Raducanu should finish the rally but she doesn’t do enough and the American stretches to hit a brilliant backhand pass.
11:14 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-6, 5-5 Stearns
Lovely point by Sterns as she gets Raducanu on the defensive and finishes with a forehand winner, 40-15.
The American wins the point when Raducanu’s backhand return down the line goes long.
11:06 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-6, 5-4 Stearns
Brilliant backhand by Raducanu, 0-15. The Briton has great balance and feel on the shot. Big hitting by Raducanu and Stearns puts a forehand long, 0-30. Then, a backhand long after Sterns digs in and refuses to miss. Three break points for the American.
Raducanu saves the first. Then the second when Stearns just misses the baseline with a backhand down the line. However, the Briton cannot save the third as Stearns wins the point with a crosscourt groundstroke.
Yet another momentum shift as Stearns breaks.
10:57 AM BST
Raducanu 7-6, 5-3 Stearns*
Great hustle from Raducanu and Stearns net, 15-30. Backhand to backhand exchange, cagey rally and Raducanu nets.
Raducanu will be happier now after Stearns struggles with her serve to give Raducanu a break point.A sublime forehand from Sterns that blasts past Raducanu.
The Briton earns another break point when Stearns nets another forehand.
10:16 AM BST
Second Set: Raducanu 7-6, 1-0 Stearns*
How will Stearns respond now? Winning the first set should give Raducanu confidence. A service hold to 30 by Raducanu continues her momentum which Stearn must find a way to stop.
A service hold to 30 by Raducanu continues her momentum which Pegula must find a way to stop.
Apologies, a fire alarm at Telegraph headquarters means I have to leave the building.
Hopefully I will be back soon.
10:04 AM BST
Raducanu 7-6 Stearns – Tiebreak
A brilliant forehand return by Stearns – Raducanu has no chance, 5-4. Raducanu forehand down the line catches the line for a winner 6-4.
However, Stearns reviews the point – Hawkeye confirms the ball was out. Brilliant composure from Raducanu as she drills the forehand down the line for a winner 7-4.
Raducanu takes the first set.
10:01 AM BST
Raducanu 6-6 Stearns – Tiebreak
Raducanu doesn’t do enough with her approach shot and Stearns punishes her with a forehand winner, 0-1. Then Raducanu rushed the American into an error, 1-1.
Brilliant striking from Raducanu who wins the point with a forehand winner 2-1. Hard luck for Stearns as her backhand hits the top of the net and drops out. 3-1
Point of the match ends with Stearns striking a brilliant forehand winner, 2-3. Hard luck for Raducanu as her backhand nets 3-3. Stearns return into the net, 4-3.
This time Raducanu rusheds Stearns into an error after a prolonged rally, 5-3.
09:54 AM BST
Raducanu* 6-6 Stearns
Trouble for Stearns, as she nets a forehand, 15-0. She then nets a backhand to make it 30-0.
Longest rally of the match so far, Raducanu holds her own and the American blinks first when she pushed a backhand long 40-0.
Oh no, Raducanu’s error, as she puts the easiest volley into the net – Raducanu forehand into the net, 15-40
A series of errors from Raducanu – opens the door for the American. Another first serve found by Raduacnu when she is in trouble and Stearns nets the return – 30-40.
Terrible time for Raducanu to double fault to make it 40-40 – then Stearns produces two sublime crosscourt groundstrokes to secure the point.
09:45 AM BST
Raducanu 6-5 Stearns*
Raducanu hits a forehand winner down the line, 30-15. The Briton believes she has a hit a crosscourt winner but it is called out and Hawkeye confirms it.
Excellent hitting from the Briton and she finished with a backhand winner as Stearn goes the wrong way.
Raducanu goes ahead once again in this match, 6-5 when Stearns goes long with her forehand.
09:39 AM BST
Raducanu* 5-5 Stearns
A brilliant response from Raducanu after having difficulty holding onto serve. A change up from the Briton as she hits a slice down the line, Stearns moves across to it and hits a forehand but nets.
Her first serve is still gone AWOL in this game and her frustrations to coach Nick Cavaday are getting louder. However, the Briton gets over the line and secures the point.
09:34 AM BST
Raducanu 4-5 Stearns*
Raducanu’s game is unravelling here – massively overhitting to make it 15-0. She then goes for too much with her forehand return 30-0.
Stearns is feeling it now and the momentum has swung towards her, She races to 40-0 with a forehand winner before Raducanu pegs her back to 40-30.
Brilliant defence from the Briton and Stearns nets a forehand, deuce. The American eventually gets over the line and leads for the first time in this match.
09:26 AM BST
Raducanu* 4-3 Stearns
Raducanu chases down a short ball and catches Stearns in the body with her forehand put away. Fortunately the American seems to be ok and is all smiles between both players, 15-0.
Raducanu is still struggling with her ball toss – 30-30. Stearns forehand long, 40-30. Raducanu gets a drive volley but miscues it and her forehand flies well long, deuce.
Stearns secures the point when Raducanu hits a backhand well long. Strange end to the game, a loss of focus and overhitting from Raducanu.
09:23 AM BST
Raducanu 4-2 Stearns*
Stearns gets back on track as Raducanu’s game breaks down and the American takes advantage to break back.
The American moves to 30-0 when the Briton drags a forehand – she finishes off the point in style with a sublime crosscourt stroke.
You feel the momentum is slightly shifting here.
09:17 AM BST
Raducanu* 4-1 Stearns
Serving at 30-15, Stearns needs to get this game wrapped up and put some pressure back on. But she’s put a crosscourt groundstroke into the net. The American has a chance at 30-30, on top in the point, but she puts it into the net.
Deuce. Unforced error from Stearns. Another break point for Raducanu. However, the American defends gamely to stay in a long point at 40-A.
However, a clever change of pace from the Briton and Stearns makes a mistake with her backhand.
09:11 AM BST
Raducanu 3-1 Stearns*
Stearns need to stay in touch with Raducanu in this match. The American’s forehand is long, 30-0. Big point coming up now…
A wild forehand by Stearns goes long – the American needs to dig in here and get through this game.
Raducanu continues to go on the attack and is drawing errors from the American – 40-15. Loose backhand into the net by Stearns and Raducanu secures the point.
At times, Stearns is looking a little lost out there and needs help from her coach.
09:04 AM BST
Raducanu* 2-1 Stearns
Chance for Raducanu to break straight back as she moves to 15-30 when Kenin hits a forehand long.
However, no such problems for Stearns on the serve as Raducanu struggles to find the court with her return – 30-30.
Too good from the American, dragging Raducanu to the net with drop shot which Raducanu fails to read – 30-40.
However, Raducanu stays in the game with a brilliant forehand return to make it deuce.
The pressure is building for the American as Raducanu breaks her serve when Stearns pushed a backhand long. Brilliant hitting from Raducanu, leaving work to do for the American.
08:55 AM BST
Raducanu 1-1 Stearns*
Good width on her shots by Raducanu and she finishes with a forehand winner, 15-15. Raducanu leaves a forehand short, Stearns steps in and blasts a forehand winner into the corner, two break points.
The Briton is trying to bring in some variation, slices the ball and using the angles to save the first break point. But not the second as Raducanu hits a double fault.
Raducanu seems to be struggling with her ball toss at the moment. Several aborted ball throws as she tries to find her rhythm.
08:52 AM BST
First Set: Emma Raducanu* 1-0 Peyton Stearns (*denotes next server)
Clean ball striking from Raducanu puts Stearns on the backfoot from the start – to make it 30-0.
However, Stearns is a grinder, who defends well and is able to get the ball back into play. The Briton will have to stay patient and not overhit if she wants to control this match.
Good second serve by Stearns and Raducanu goes long with a forehand return, 15-30. But then, the American doesn’t do enough with her backhand approach and Raducanu’s backhand pass is too strong for her at the net – 15-40. First break point for Raducanu in this match.
Timely ace by Stearns to see off that break point. And but then Raducanu produces a sublime forehand to take the opening game when Kenin’s return goes long.
08:41 AM BST
Here we go!
It’s showtime on the centre court at Seoul as Raducanu and Stearns walk out for their match. Raducanu definitely got the bigger cheers from the crowd. Stearns won the toss and opts to serve first. So, pressure on the American right from the off.
It would be great if the Briton could make a real impact in this tournament.
08:38 AM BST
Raducanu is on court next
Hayley Baptiste advanced to the second round by beating Sloane Stephens in straight sets. Baptiste, ranked world number 10-5 will face top seed Daria Kasatkina next.
08:30 AM BST
Raducanu’s 2024 results so far
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WTA Auckland: Second round
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Australian Open: Second round
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WTA Abu Dhabi: Second round
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WTA Doha: first Round
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Billie Jean King Cup: Qualified for final
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WTA Stuttgart: Quarter-final
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WTA Madrid: First round
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WTA Nottingham: Semi-final
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WTA Eastbourne: Quarter-final
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Wimbledon: Fourth round
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WTA Citi Open: Quarter-final
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US Open: First round
08:25 AM BST
How has Raducanu performed this year?
The Briton has had broadly positive results since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off last year. She helped steer Great Britain to a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup as they beat France and carried on that form in Stuttgart in April.
She eventually lost to Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals but did beat three-time major winner Angelique Kerber in the opening round.
However, it has not been all plain sailing for Raducanu since her return to the WTA tour. She has failed to win any back-to-back matches until reaching the third round of Indian Wells.
On grass, the Briton was impressive this summer by reaching the semi-finals in the Nottingham Open where she was beaten by fellow British player Katie Boulter. She made the round of 16 at Wimbledon following wins over Elise Mertens and Maria Sakkari before being defeated by qualifier Lulu Sun.
At the Citi Open in Washington DC, she narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot after losing to Paula Badosa in a three-set match having dispatched eighth seed Mertens earlier in the tournament.
08:04 AM BST
Raducanu aiming to bounce back after US Open exit
Good morning, welcome to our live blog of Korea Open action. Britain’s very own Emma Raducanu plays this morning.She will be on once Sloane Stephens and Hayley Baptiste have finished. After a dismal first-round exit at the US Open, Raducanu is looking to make amends in Seoul.
The world number 70 did not even make the original Korea Open main-draw list, but thanks to Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Karolina Pliskova and Emma Navarro withdrawing, Raducanu earned a golden ticket to her first competition since Flushing Meadows.
The Briton has fond memories of Seoul – the Korean Open was the site of her first semi-final appearances on the WTA tour, winning three matches in a row before coming unstuck against Jelena Ostapenko in 2021.
Raducanu faces Peyton Stearns, who has had a moderate year. Currently ranked world number 48, she has made progress by claiming the Morocco Open this season but has yet to secure another title.
Her grand slam performances have been less impressive, with early-round exits in all four majors. The American will be eager to get back to winning ways against the Briton.
Raducanu and Stearns will be squaring off for the second time in a matter of weeks after never previously crossing paths on the WTA tour before this year.
Instead, the duo faced each other at the end of July in the last 16 of the Citi Open, where Raducanu was victorious in straight sets.
The Briton saved five of the six break points that Stearns managed to fashion, and that two-set victory actually represents Raducanu’s most recent win on the WTA tour – the Briton subsequently lost a three-set thriller to Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals.
Who do you think will come out on top? Stay with us for all the action.
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