Raducanu squanders three match points, exits Korea Open as she prioritizes Roig

Emma Raducanu's bid to rise up the WTA rankings suffered a setback when the British No. 1 squandered three match points and was eliminated from the Korea Open in Seoul. The decision to skip Billie Jean King Cup duties in Shenzhen to focus on the Asian swing was framed by Raducanu as a strategic play to get in sync with her new coach, Francisco Roig.

Raducanu had opened with a straight-sets win over world No. 41 Jacqueline Cristian, but faced a tougher assignment against Barbora Krejcikova, the former Wimbledon champion. She captured the first set 6-4 and looked in control in the second as Krejcikova's serve faltered. With Raducanu serving for the match at 5-3, Krejcikova steadied, broke for 5-4, and Raducanu could not convert any of her three match points. The set then went to a deciding tiebreak, where Krejcikova edged it 12-10, forcing a third set that she dominated 6-1 to complete the upset.

Raducanu later reflected on the decision to skip BJK Cup duty, describing it as a “truly difficult” choice. “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,” she said, referencing Francisco Roig, a longtime mentor with Nadal’s team who is helping shape her post-summer game.

The 22-year-old added that prioritizing the Korea Open was about building continuity with Roig and advancing her game ahead of the rest of the Asian tour. “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,” Raducanu said.

The decision to steer away from BJK Cup was also framed in the context of maintaining momentum in the rankings. Raducanu is currently listed around No. 32 in the world, with no points to defend this season, meaning a run in Asia could improve her seed at next year’s Australian Open and help her close the year strongly.

The Korea Open result came as Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team enjoyed a contrasting day. Captain Anne Keothavong said the focus remains on the current group, stressing that players will make decisions in their own best interests while the team pursues a world title. Britain opened its tie against Japan with a 2-0 win as Katie Boulter defeated Mokuya Uchijima and Sonay Kartal beat Ena Shibahara. Britain now advances to a semi-final facing the United States on Saturday.

Keothavong praised the depth of the squad, noting the progress shown by April’s momentum that earned Britain a place in the finals in Malaga last year. She emphasized that the selection decisions are about maximizing the team’s chances and supporting players who are prepared for the high-stakes matches on the world stage.

Raducanu’s run in Seoul ends a season in which she has balanced a demanding schedule with the new coaching alliance. While the Korea Open exit is a setback, her commitment to working with Roig signals a clear plan to refine her game for 2025. She will now turn her attention to the rest of the Asian tour and the goal of reclaiming a seeded position at the Australian Open, a prospect that would enhance her chances of a deeper run at the year’s first major. The immediate aim for her camp is to translate the early-season momentum into consistent results as the calendar turns toward the winter swing.