Emma Raducanu: Briton suffers early exit at Mutua Madrid Open against world No 82 Maria Lourdes Carle | Tennis News
Emma Raducano crashed out of the Madrid Open after suffering a 6-2, 6-2 defeat to world number 82 Maria Lourdes Karl. You can watch over 80 tournaments a year, including the US Open, live exclusively on Sky Sports Tennis
17:22 UK time, Wednesday 24 April 2024
Emma Raducano’s performance on clay courts declined at the Madrid Open on Wednesday, as the Briton exited the tournament after a first-round defeat in straight sets to world number 82 Maria Lourdes Karl.
Raducanu enters competition at the highest level having won four of her last five starts following excellent performances in the Billie Jean King Cup of Great Britain and the Porsche Grand Prix of Stuttgart.
But the British woman complained of “feeling tired” in the preparation period for Madrid and was knocked out at the first hurdle by Karl 6-2 and 6-2 over Pista Arancha Sanchez.
Raducanu won quite a few points throughout the competition, but this winner was arguably her best with an overall disappointing showing
“I’m going to recharge my batteries a little bit,” Raducano said after her defeat. “From the performance today it was very clear that I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. It’s unfortunate, but I think this sport is pretty brutal.”
Playing with a strap around the front of her left knee, the 2021 US Open champion was seen as a heavy favorite against qualifier Karl.
But the 21-year-old, who struggled with an injury in 2023, produced an error-strewn display on clay, winning just 13/26 points on first serve and 2/14 on second serve.
Karl, who beat a pair of Australians – Tayla Preston and Astra Sharma – to reach her second ever WTA 1000 main draw, broke Raducano six times to earn her first WTA main draw win since 2022, and her second Ever in a WTA clay court event.
Fleming: Raducano’s body language is difficult to understand; You didn’t give it everything
Colin Fleming and Anne Keothavong discuss whether Raducanu should play French Open qualifiers or wait for the grass season after her disappointing loss in Madrid
“[I am] I was a little shocked to be honest. “The second set in particular, I thought it was difficult to understand Emma’s body language,” former player Colin Fleming said. Sky Sports Tennis.
“Even the break points when it was 4-1, it wasn’t impossible to come back with the players’ skills, but there wasn’t an ounce of body language that said ‘I think I can come back or I want to come back’.”
“It was inevitable from there. Very strange! I know she talked about being tired and other things, but on the pitch, you have to go and give it everything you have.
“And if you’re not fit enough to play, you won’t play.
“I don’t think Emma gave it her all. She didn’t compete, which was hard to watch. I have to say that.”
Keothavong: Raducanu did not attend
“It was a tough match,” said Ann Keothavong, captain of the British Billie Jean King Cup team. “I don’t think you can analyze tennis because the in-form Emma didn’t show up today.”
“And if no athlete shows up ready to play, you don’t really have a chance.
“She got off to a slow start and was never able to regroup or find her way. Credit to her opponent who came out with fire and energy and she was the one who looked for that and was ready to fight.
“We talk a lot about head, heart and legs, and if your head and heart aren’t in it, your legs don’t have a chance.
“It was really disappointing to see that. She said she was tired, but are you convincing yourself to be more tired?”
Osaka wins first match on clay since 2022
Highlights of Naomi Osaka’s opening round match against Great Minnen
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka She achieved her first victory on clay courts in two years after defeating the lucky loser, Grete Menin, 6-4, 6-1.
She will face four-time Grand Slam champion Lyudmila Samsonova in the second round for the second time this year.
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