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:
Kostyuk speaks to the trainer
Kostyuk looks to have injured her wrist or hand in the final stages of that set and has got the trainer on.
Emma Raducanu 4-6 Marta Kostyuk*
A good first set from both players, with Raducanu making life difficult for Kostyuk midway through, but the Ukrainian reasserted herself, played some fabulous tennis, and deservedly leads.
The clay is given a sweep and a watering in the break between sets.
GAME AND FIRST SET: Emma Raducanu 4-6 Marta Kostyuk*
Kostyuk imposes herself from the baseline even with Raducanu attacking her second serve, forcing the Brit off-balance.
Raducanu plays a good backhand return but looks surprised to see it comes back over the net.
She nets twice in succession before Kostyuk double faults again.
Raducanu has another second serve to attack, but can only send it into the net, and the Ukrainian leads 6-4 after 50 minutes.
*Emma Raducanu 4-5 Marta Kostyuk
Raducanu rallied midway through this set but is letting Kostyuk dictate play too much now.
She puts Kostyuk slightly off-balance with a serve down the T and forces her long.
Then a superb rally from both players as Raducanu gets to a great Kostyuk volley, before her opponent floats in an acutely-angled drop shot at the net! Highlight-reel worthy.
Moving to the net once more, Kostyuk forces Raducanu to net for deuce - she’s so comfortable from every part of the court.
But her down the line shot is out, and Raducanu digs herself out of a tough game as Kostyuk shanks the ball way clear of the baseline.
Emma Raducanu 3-5 Marta Kostyuk*
Fabulous start by Raducanu with a superb return, but it doesn’t make a dent into the Kostyuk game. She looks stranded at the net but slices a volley which just clips the baseline.
A second serve ace - a first ace of the match - moves her further ahead. She looks back in control of this one.
And follows that up with a double fault! 30-30.
Big shout and fist pump from Kostyuk as she strikes a pinpoint-accurate forehand winner into the ad corner, then redirects Raducanu and fires down another smash at the net to move one game away from taking this first set.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 3-4 Marta Kostyuk
Raducanu lobs long from the back of court, but enquires of the umpire whether Kostyuk went long earlier in the rally. It certainly looked like it, but it seems there’s an issue with the video review system, so we don’t know.
She runs out of room at the net and falls 0-30 down. Her first serve has gone a bit AWOL in this game and a double fault gifts Kostyuk another break point.
The Ukrainian nets. One saved. 30-40.
Another double fault! Oh dear. Momentum shifts again.
Emma Raducanu 3-3 Marta Kostyuk*
Raducanu plays a stunning down-the-line forehand winner to win one of the longest rallies of this one so far.
A double fault by Kostyuk puts her 0-30 up. The conditions are pretty breezy here in Madrid and Raducanu looks to put the pressure on, attacking her wide second serve and forcing Kostyuk to net.
Raducanu looks more pumped up now after that hold. Kostyuk saves one break point with a sharp cross-court backhand, but goes long on the next under pressure from another fabulous Raducanu return. All square!
*Emma Raducanu 2-3 Marta Kostyuk
Raducanu plays a tame second serve and nets, and gestures in annoyance and confusion towards her box.
A fifth deuce, then Kostyuk hits long.
Big first serve and Kostyuk nets! Raducanu keeps the deficit to just one break. Huge game.
*Emma Raducanu 1-3 Marta Kostyuk
Kostyuk appears completely in control of this one so far, playing aggressively and moving easily around the court.
She forces the error from Raducanu as she moves forward, then surprises the Brit when what looks like an overhit volley kisses the sideline.
A double fault gives Kostyuk break point. Raducanu saves one and slams down a fast second serve to catch Kostyuk unawares, for deuce.
She saves two break points with some brilliant, precise serving, but goes long to hand over another. For one of the first times this match Kostyuk switches it up - and gets her drop shot all wrong. Four break points saved, then a beautifully redirected point earns game point of her own.
Emma Raducanu 1-3 Marta Kostyuk*
A lovely sharp cross-court return by Raducanu leaves Kostyuk stranded, but the Ukrainian gets the better of her in the next rally.
Raducanu plays a brilliant forehand to keep in the point and force her opponent to net for 15-30.
But she follows up with a wild return off Kostyuk’s second serve, and the 24th seed’s forehand is firing on all cylinders as she smacks a winner into the corner of the court. A net smash seals the game for Kostyuk and she fist pumps on her way back the baseline.
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