Emma Raducanu vs Marta Kostyuk LIVE: Brit falls to three-set defeat in Madrid Open second round
The British No. 2 took the fight to 24th seed Marta Kostyuk but ultimately fell 4-6, 6-2, 2-6
Emma Raducanu lost a tight second-round match at the Madrid Open to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who she beat in the same round of the tournament three years ago.
Kostyuk, who received a bye into the second round, raced into a 2-0 lead but Raducanu fought back in a high-quality match which saw multiple breaks of serve and momentum swings before ultimately losing 4-6, 6-2, 2-6.
The British No. 2 moved into the ascendancy after losing the first set, winning four games in a row and breaking again to seal the second and force a decider.
But a sloppy opening service game conceded the early advantage to the 24th seed, a confident clay-court player whose movement, skilful drop shots and impressive power and accuracy gave her the edge in the deciding set.
Raducanu continued to show moments of her quality and actually won one more point than Kostyuk in the match, but couldn’t hold her serve in the crucial moments as the Ukrainian steamrolled to the finish line and served out the win at the first time of asking.
Follow live updates from their Madrid Open match below:
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-5 Marta Kostyuk
Another shout and fist pump from a fired-up Kostyuk as she produces another belter of a cross-court forehand - so aggressive that her bracelet looks to have come off in the process.
Third break point.
Third time lucky! It’s a replica mid-court forehand, with Raducanu way behind the baseline. Kostyuk will serve for a place in the third round.
*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-4 Marta Kostyuk
Long! Kostyk bites the handle of her racquet in frustration as she’s miles out, the Brit forcing her to defend deep.
“Come on!” shouts the Ukrainian as Raducanu punts it long herself. Advantage Kostyuk.
She has a second serve to attack, but nets! Kostyuk’s not happy with herself. Back to deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-4 Marta Kostyuk
Raducanu is looking a little deflated now. As at the start of this match Kostyuk is pressing, attacking every point, and Raducanu just looks to be playing catch-up.
Kostyuk whips in another forehand winner, kissing the baseline, to move 0-30 up.
Now Raducanu wins an absolutely stunning rally, one of the longest of the match. Kostyuk is in back-to-the-wall defence mode and eventually Raducanu breaks her down, redirecting the ball effortlessly with Kostyuk going the wrong way.
She gets the next point with a good first serve, but Kostyuk attacks again and has another break point at 30-40.
Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-4 Marta Kostyuk*
Raducanu has a look-in at the second serve and gets lucky as her return skims the net, but Kostyuk switches it up and fires the ball out of reach.
She moves forward again and puts away a great volley to dig herself out of trouble in a tricky game. Two games away for the Ukrainian.
Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-3 Marta Kostyuk*
Kostyuk looks a bit embarrassed as she overthinks a forehand at the net, waiting for it to bounce and punting it almost out of court.
She redeems it on the next point with a flawless down the line forehand winner. Both players have had a lot of success off their forehands today - when they’ve been firing, at least.
She has Raducanu on the run and Kostyuk camps out at the net, volleying in another great drop shot. Raducanu gets the better of her on the next passing shot though as the Ukrainian tries the same tactic.
But Raducanu fights back to deuce as Kostyuk puts a bit too much heft on another cross-court forehand.
BREAK BACK! *Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-3 Marta Kostyuk
Kostyuk tries to switch up the rally with a forehand into the open court, but it drifts wide for 30-15 on Raducanu’s serve.
She’s all over a Raducanu slice drop shot though, whipping it cross-court for 30-30.
Now it’s Kostyuk’s turn to fist pump and shout in encouragement as, after mishitting her first return, she pushes Raducanu back and forces her into the net.
Break-back point, and Raducanu can’t control her net volley, sending it long. A frustrating end to that game for the Brit.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-2 Marta Kostyuk*
A first double fault of the third set for Kostyuk opens the door for Raducanu at 15-30.
Raducanu has a chance on another second serve, but Kostyuk gets lucky with the net cord as it just dips over onto Raducanu’s side!
Now the Brit lets out a huge roar as she hammers down a great return for break point.
And Kostyuk’s shot sails long! Raducanu breaks back!
*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 1-2 Marta Kostyuk
A deft lob gets Raducanu out of another net exchange as she digs out a delicate Kostyuk volley that looked set to die on the ground.
Better from Raducanu as Kostyuk shanks into the net twice, and she seals a first love hold of the match. She’s on the board in this final set.
Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 0-2 Marta Kostyuk*
From having all that momentum from winning the second set, Raducanu looks deflated after that wobble of a game.
She whips in a forehand down the line, clearly frustrated, and it’s a beauty of a shot.
Now she attacks Kostyuk’s second serve with another brilliant forehand, this time cross-court, but Kostyuk fights back with a dazzler of her own into the postage stamp on the deuce corner.
Raducanu goes long for 40-30, and Kostyuk sends in a brave second serve - and it pays off as she backs up her break.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 0-1 Marta Kostyuk
Both players have come out swinging in this decider. A deft drop shot by Kostyuk catches Raducanu off-guard for 30-30.
Oh no. A very poorly timed double fault hands Kostyuk an early break point opportunity.
She fires a forehand just a fraction wide, and she’s on the back foot.
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