Raducanu squanders three match points, eliminated by Krejcikova at Korea Open

Emma Raducanu’s Korea Open campaign ended in disappointment as she squandered three match points and was eliminated by Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul. Raducanu had chosen to skip Billie Jean King Cup duties this month to focus on her game and to work with Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s former mentor, a move she said was aimed at accelerating her development during the Asian swing.

Raducanu opened with a straight-sets win over world No. 41 Jacqueline Cristian, setting up a second-round clash with Krejcikova. The British No. 1 appeared poised to press on, taking the opening set 6-4 and moving to a commanding position in the second. However, Krejcikova rallied, forcing a deciding set after Raducanu missed three match points, including in a tense moment during a tiebreak that Krejcikova ultimately captured 12-10. The momentum swung decisively in the Czech’s favor, and Krejcikova completed the comeback with a 6-1 final set to seal Raducanu’s exit.

In explaining the decision not to play in Shenzen, Raducanu underscored the importance of the coaching relationship she is building with Roig. “It was a truly difficult decision,” she said after the match. “I love the BJK Cup, and last year I gave it my all despite injuries. However, Korea Open was a crucial time for me to get in sync with my new coach.” The 22-year-old added that the collaboration with Roig, who has worked with stars across the game, is a priority as she aims to refine her game ahead of the remainder of the season.

Roig’s involvement marks a continued shift in Raducanu’s camp as she invests in a longer-term plan. The former Nadal mentor began working with her this summer during the American hard-court stretch, and Raducanu stressed that developing under an experienced coach remains central to her progress. “Having the opportunity to develop with someone as seasoned as Francis is a major factor in my decision to focus on this Asia Swing,” she said.

Raducanu’s exit has implications for her ranking as well. She is listed around the No. 32 mark, with no further points to defend this season, which could open the door to gains in Asia if she can advance deep into the events on the tour’s continental leg. A deeper run would also help her aim for a seeded position at next year’s Australian Open.

Across town, Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team enjoyed a positive start to their tie against Japan. Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal won their singles rubbers to give Britain a 2-0 lead. The team now advances to a semi-final meeting with the United States on Saturday, a potential showcase for how the federation plans to balance club, team and individual priorities ahead of the off-season.

Britain’s captain Anne Keothavong praised her squad’s performance and pointed to a broader strategy that prioritizes the players’ needs. “It’s obviously disappointing to miss Raducanu, but focus must stay on the team we have and the challenges ahead,” Keothavong said. “The group showed great resilience and I see no reason why we can’t replicate the results we achieved in April.”

Raducanu, meanwhile, heads into the rest of the Asian swing with a renewed focus on collaboration with Roig and continued improvement. With the calendar working in her favor, she will be hoping to collect sufficient ranking points and confidence to push for a seeded run at the Australian Open next year.