Emma Raducanu was eliminated in Madrid despite positive performances against Clay-Court expert Marta Kostyuk.
The former U.S. Open champion made his first quarterfinals of the WTA Tour premiere at the Miami Open last month, but will not repeat the feat in the Spanish capital.
Raducanu had an impressive straight win in the first round, but despite showing world-class glory, she couldn’t stop Ukraine’s Kostyuk, the 24th seed, winning the game 6-4 2-6 2-6 6-2.
Raducanu comfortably beat Kostyuk in his last meeting in the same match three years ago, but got a bad start here.
She dug her own way from 1-3 to 3-3, only two double faults could see her drop immediately, and Kostic continued to the opening ceremony.
Kostyuk received treatment on his right wrist before the second set, and this time it was Raducanu’s stronger start, the 22-year-old’s four straight games.
But, from Raducanu continuing a bad game with coach Mark Petchey, he started the decision-maker as Kostyuk pushed his path towards the finish line.
“I lost to her three years ago in a very simple game, so it’s not a good memory,” said Kostyuk, 22.
“I know Emma is a great fighter, she has achieved a lot and can play amazing tennis. It will be a battle that is very happy with the victory.”
Fleming: Radanu finds her clay feet
Colin Fleming, speaking Sky Sports Tennis:”Emma Raducanu is a competitor. She will be disappointed at this stage, but I think when the dust settles in this game there is a lot to go. Sometimes it’s a good level on the surface where she hasn’t played a lot of tennis recently.
“If she can keep working, keep finding her feet, exercise, balance and comfort on this surface in the clay. I think she can still do a great job this clay season, and I think that will make her good in both the grass and the hard side.
“A lot of motivation was gained from this goal.”
Tape story
Boulter was hit by French Open finalists; Qatar went out too
Katie Boulter was beaten 6-1 6-2 Jasmine Paolini Just 56 minutes.
Britain’s No. 1 still has no experience with clay, proving that the sixth seed has no match, which reached the French Open final last season.
Boulter struggled particularly in the serve, winning only 11 points in the game, and she didn’t get a serve until the penultimate game of the game.
Paolini had a chance to win a more decisive victory when he ranked first in the second group with a 5-0 first match, but Boulter at least had some rally to avoid love.
For Sonay Kartal, this is a similar story Elina SvitolinaThe British lost 6-3 6-1 to the 17th seed in third place.
Top seeds Aryna Sabalenka It was Anna Blinkova’s 6-3 6-3 title, but the struggle of the eighth seed Zheng Qinwen continued to lose 6-4 6-4 against Anastasia Potapova.
The number one seed in men’s lottery Alexander Zverev Easily beat Roberto Bautista Agut and the third seed 6-2 6-2 Taylor Fritz Defeated Christopher O’Connell 6-1 6-4.
Defending champion Andrey Rublev and the ninth seed Daniil Medvedev Both improved when the opponent did not hit the ball after exiting, while the woman’s ninth seed Paula Badosa quit due to a back injury.
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