Raducanu squander three match points as Krejcikova advances in Korea Open; British star prioritises Roig and Asia swing over BJK Cup

Emma Raducanu's Korea Open campaign ended in heartbreak as she squandered three match points to Barbora Krejcikova and was eliminated in Seoul. The Briton had recently explained that her decision to skip Billie Jean King Cup duties this month was driven by a focus on ranking points during the Asian swing, a choice that surprised her captain Anne Keothavong. Raducanu’s priority was to use the Korea Open as a stepping-stone in a fledgling partnership with Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal's former mentor, as she builds on a promising summer.

Raducanu opened with a straight-sets win over world No. 41 Jacqueline Cristian, taking the first set 6-4. She looked to be in control in the second as Krejcikova's serve occasionally wobbled, but the Czech veteran battled back. Raducanu held three match points in the second-set tiebreak but could not convert them, and Krejcikova clinched the tiebreak 12-10 to force a decider before sweeping the final set 6-1.

The result trims Raducanu's progress in Seoul, where she had reached the quarterfinals last year before withdrawing against Daria Kasatkina. Nevertheless, the encounter provided a clear window into her ongoing work with Roig, whom she described after the match as an experienced coach she hopes to develop with during the Asian swing. "It was a truly difficult decision," Raducanu said. "I love the BJK Cup so much, and last year I gave it my all despite the difficult circumstances (recovering from injury to play at the finals in Malaga). However, the Korea Open was a crucial time for me to get in sync with my new coach, Francis." The reference to Roig being known as Francis reflected the dual naming used in her camp.

Raducanu reaffirmed that prioritizing Roig was not a step away from the British team so much as a strategic choice to accelerate personal growth ahead of a busy schedule in Asia. "Having the opportunity to develop with such an experienced coach was the main reason I decided to participate in the Asia Series, starting with this Korea Open," she added. The 22-year-old acknowledged the disappointment of not playing for Britain but argued that the long-term gains could benefit both her individual ranking and the team in the future.

In the Billie Jean King Cup context, Britain collected a 2-0 win over Japan in the tie that was staged alongside the Seoul event. Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal won their matches, delivering the success that Keothavong described as essential to keep Britain on track for the competition’s latter stages. After the tie, Keothavong emphasized the need to concentrate on the team’s current players and the path ahead, rather than dwelling on individual decisions. "It's obviously disappointing, but I do want the main focus to be on the players I have and the challenge we have ahead," the captain said. "I believe in the players that I've got. We take a huge amount of pride in this competition and we do want to be world champions." The British team will face the United States in the semi-finals on Saturday.

The Korea Open result will also influence Raducanu's ranking as she heads into the late-season Asian events. She is currently 32nd in the world, and with no points to defend this season, there is potential for gains during the Asia swing. The focus remains on continued collaboration with Roig as she builds consistency and momentum at the end of a year that has seen a rapid shift in her coaching team and approach. As Raducanu contends with the immediate disappointment in Seoul, she remains committed to the long-term objective of climbing back toward the seeded positions she has pursued since rising to prominence, with the Australian Open on the horizon and a seeded berth in sight contingent on results in the coming weeks.

Britain’s next test in the Billie Jean King Cup comes against the United States, a high-profile matchup that will test Keothavong’s squad as they push for the finals and a potential title. The team’s early success in the tie against Japan provides momentum, but the bigger storyline surrounding Raducanu’s schedule and coaching partnership will continue to unfold as the season progresses. Raducanu’s path through Seoul may have ended on a sour note, but the broader arc of her year—balancing personal development with national team duties—remains a central thread in British tennis as she plots a return to top form in 2025.