Emma Raducanu is back in action at the Eastbourne International this afternoon following her impressive victory over Jessica Pegula yesterday.
Raducanu came from a set down and saved a match point before battling past the American 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 in a match which excited and thrilled the home crowd. That victory came after a similarly impressive win over Sloane Stephens in the first round and was Raducanu’s her first-ever win over a top 10 ranked opponent.
She said: “I’m pretty drained right now but I want to thank everyone for getting me through some really difficult moments in that match. I’m really pleased with how I managed to navigate some tough situations, this match is one of the more meaningful ones to me.”
Today she takes on the No. 6 seed, Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, who defeated Wang Xinyu and Yue Yuan on her way to the quarter-finals.
Follow all the latest updates from Eastbourne below:
Emma Raducanu 2-6 1-4 Daria Kasatkina* – BREAK
The crowd response is muted now as Kasatkina unleashes on the Raducanu serve. She takes the first three rallies to set up three break points.
Raducanu saves the first but the floodgates are open again. Kasatkina moves three games ahead and is storming to victory.
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:56
*Emma Raducanu 2-6 1-3 Daria Kasatkina
The longest rally of the match sees both players wrestle the momentum between each other. Raducanu draws Kasatkina up to the net then blitzes a backhand past her to set up a break point.
Kasatkina takes the net rally though and moves to advantage as Raducanu can’t get a return of serve back.
Raducanu twice extends the match having clawed Kasatkina back from advantage. The Russian grows a touch frustrated that she can’t get this game done.
There’s more power and drive coming from Raducanu which goes against her as she sends a backhand too wide. Kasatkina holds and secures her break.
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:52
Emma Raducanu 2-6 1-2 Daria Kasatkina* – BREAK
And here comes the crowd! The noise level rises as Kasatkina hooks a forehand into the net. Raducanu has belief and so do her supporters.
A cross court forehand from Raducanu hits the tape but drops over court moving the Brit 30-0 up. Kasatkina then misses a return to put Raducanu on the brink of a hold.
She’s take advantage though. Kasatkina falls back on flat, low and powerful strokes to rattle off five points in a row that secures her a second break in this set.
Just stubborn and exceptional tennis from the Russian.
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:44
*Emma Raducanu 2-6 1-1 Daria Kasatkina – BREAK
Emma Raducanu is digging in. She’s holding her own in rallies and waiting for the slip ups from Kasatkina. The Russian obliges and leaves Raducanu with a couple of break points.
A fine body serve means Kasatkina holds the first one but Raducanu drills a great winner down the line to get the second set back on serve!
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:38
Emma Raducanu 2-6 0-1 Daria Kasatkina* – BREAK!
Kasatkina is just too good. Her defensive work has been fantastic and, coupled with some errors from Raducanu, it helps her break the 21-year-old and move into the lead in this second set.
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:34
*Emma Raducanu 2-6 0-0 Daria Kasatkina
Raducanu gets to work in the second set and focuses on keeping the ball in play. Kasatkina finds the net but then drills a backhand down the line to win the next point.
The Russian whips a forehand too forcefully across court and goes wide putting Raducanu into the lead with the Brit then landing a perfect serve on the centre line for an ace. 40-15.
Oh wow! Raducanu gives up a point then looks in control of the next rally. Kasatkina defends brilliantly before stepping forward and sweeping a forehand winner past the Brit to force the game to deuce!
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:32
*Emma Raducanu 2-6 Daria Kasatkina
Daria Kasatkina wins the first set with a strong hold of serve. She’s not had everything her own way, especially towards the end of the set and Emma Raducanu will feel a bit more confident heading into the second set.
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:28
Emma Raducanu 2-5 Daria Kasatkina*
That will make her feel a whole heap better as she pulls off an incredible backhand slice that spins away from the Russian and extends this first set.
Can Raducanu possibly break now?
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:24
*Emma Raducanu 1-5 Daria Kasatkina
Needing to hold serve Emma Raducanu forces deuce after saving a set point. She serves down the centre line and puts Kasatkina on the back foot only to underhit an attempted drop shot.
Kasatkina goes to advantage but is worked around the court by Raducanu. The Russian catches the wind and puts a backhand over the back.
She then sends another too long and the crowd starts to back Raducanu who moves to advantage herself. The Brit lands her first serve but hooks a forehand wide!
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:20
*Emma Raducanu 1-5 Daria Kasatkina
Raducanu’s playing some fine shots despite trailing in the match. She goes down and scoops under the bottom of the ball with a backhand slice that brings Kasatkina up the court. The Russian’s return hits the net and Raducanu gets the point.
However, it’s the only one she manages in the game as Kasatkina holds serve.
Mike Jones27 June 2024 16:15