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

(Getty Images)

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:

Emma Raducanu vs Marta Kostyuk LIVE

• Emma Raducanu kicked off her Madrid Open campaign with a win over Suzan Lamens
• Brit faces Marta Kostyuk for a space in the third round
• Kostyuk wins the first set 6-4
• Momentum swings Raducanu's way as she breaks for 4-2 in the second
• Raducanu breaks to seal second set 6-2 and force a decider
• Raducanu breaks back to level tight deciding set at 2-2
• Kostyuk pulls ahead in tense deciding set to lead 5-2 with two breaks

[25 April 2025 17:07 · Flo Clifford]

*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2 Marta Kostyuk

Raducanu to serve first in this deciding set.

[25 April 2025 17:05 · Flo Clifford]

BREAK AND SECOND SET! Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2 Marta Kostyuk*

A wild smack by Kostyuk to start her service game, serving to stay in this second set.

Raducanu has a couple of chances to put the rally away but gets sucked into a net exchange - and comes out on top this time! The Brit is looking the more positive of the two players now.

She redirects Kostyuk, who nets to go 0-40 down, and Raducanu has three set points.

The former US Open champion fires long on the first, but she gets lucky on the net cord on the second. Another break and the second set in the bag after winning four games on the trot.

[25 April 2025 17:00 · Flo Clifford]

*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 5-2 Marta Kostyuk

A good first serve by Raducanu, but then the game starts to slip away as she nets on the next point, then fires long, and punts the ball into the net again for break-back point.

Her first serve is wayward, but Kostyuk is too hesitant on the second and Raducanu gets to deuce.

The Brit attacks the next point, forcing the error from the Ukrainian, but she fires a precise forehand down the line for deuce again.

Another blistering first serve gives Raducanu the advantage, and as Kostyuk goes long she can breathe a sigh of relief.

[25 April 2025 16:53 · Flo Clifford]

BREAK! Emma Raducanu 4-6, 4-2 Marta Kostyuk*

Fast start by Kostyuk, but she goes long on the next point.

She puts away a volley with ease - the 24th seed looks in a hurry to be done with this game.

A Raducanu down-the-line shot looks to be drifting wide but just curls back in, and Kostyuk gets there but is off-balance for the next shot. 30-30.

Another bad double fault by the Ukrainian...

And another, her sixth and seventh of the match! Raducanu breaks!

[25 April 2025 16:49 · Flo Clifford]

*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 3-2 Marta Kostyuk

Raducanu gives Kostyuk taste of her own medicine, forcing her into the backhand corner before smashing a volley the other way.

But Kostyuk - a fine doubles player - gets the better of another duel at the net, lobbing into the open court behind the Brit.

A fabulous forehand from Raducanu just skims the baseline, and she forces Kostyuk long with an impressive first serve. This set is feeling pretty tight.

[25 April 2025 16:45 · Flo Clifford]

Emma Raducanu 4-6, 2-2 Marta Kostyuk*

Kostyuk goes just long to give Raducanu a look-in at 30-30, but lets out a roar with a whipped forehand into the corner, followed by a powerful strike into the centre of the court. The Ukrainian is looking pumped up and in control.

[25 April 2025 16:40 · Flo Clifford]

BREAK BACK! *Emma Raducanu 4-6, 2-1 Marta Kostyuk

Raducanu makes a rare venture to the net and smashes it away.

The pair exchange deft volleys at the net, Raducanu doing well to chase the first down, but Kostyuk swats away the ball into the open court.

The Ukrainian does well to mix up her game and earns a break-back point. But another scorching Raducanu cross-court forehand saves the first! It’s a fabulous shot.

But the Ukrainian breaks back as Raducanu’s backhand breaks down! On serve again.

[25 April 2025 16:35 · Flo Clifford]

BREAK! Emma Raducanu 4-6, 2-0 Marta Kostyuk*

A bit wayward by Kostyuk for 15-15. Raducanu gives herself a pep talk as she waits for receive serve.

The Kostyuk forehand is lacking the same accuracy as it has done, but she continues to power-hit her way through the rally and forces Raducanu to net for 30-30.

A fabulous cross-court forehand return by Raducanu gifts her break point.

A double fault hands it over!

[25 April 2025 16:32 · Flo Clifford]

*Emma Raducanu 4-6, 1-0 Marta Kostyuk

There seems to be no issue with Kostyuk’s forehand as she wins the first point, before the next sails long.

The Ukrainian then nets and it’s a comfortable, businesslike hold for the Brit.

[25 April 2025 16:29 · Flo Clifford]

Second set

Kostyuk has her right wrist attended to and seems fine to continue after a slightly longer break between sets than expected.

Raducanu to serve first.