Raducanu fights back tears to win Korea Open opener after U.S. Open exit

Emma Raducanu fought back tears to claim a Korea Open first-round victory over Jaqueline Cristian on Wednesday, winning 6-3, 6-4 in Seoul. The eighth-seeded Brit secured her first win since an early exit at the U.S. Open last month, overcoming a rocky start that included six double faults and a 3-3 tie in the opening set before steadier play helped swing the momentum.

Rain-delayed conditions stretched her return to the court, and the emotional moment came as the match reached 3-3 in the opening set, with cameras capturing Raducanu wiping tears from her eyes. “Super happy to have won today,” Raducanu said after the match. “It hasn’t been easy. To have pulled through after waiting, I’m pleased with the way I came through. Tough conditions, very slow rallies, and long points, so happy to have got through it. A big thank you to everyone who came out here and supported through the rain. Thank you to everyone.”

Raducanu, ranked No. 33 in the WTA, finished with five aces and won 67 percent of points on her first serve, while converting five of seven break opportunities against Cristian, who was unranked. The Romanian took the first two games of the second set but could not capitalize on serve, and Raducanu closed out the win in straight sets. The result sets up a second-round clash with Barbora Krejčíková, who is ranked No. 39, in what will be Raducanu’s first encounter with the Czech veteran on tour.

The Korea Open represents a key early-stage stop on Raducanu’s fall Asian swing, coming soon after her U.S. Open run. She was eliminated in the third round at Flushing Meadows by Elena Rybakina last month, a result that extended her break from competition before returning to the tour in Seoul. The win provides a rejuvenating moment as she rebuilds momentum ahead of the season’s final stretch, with the next-round test against Krejčíková to come.