Emma Raducanu vs Marta Kostyuk LIVE: Brit falls to three-set defeat in Madrid Open second round
The British No. 2 took the fight to 24th seed Marta Kostyuk but ultimately fell 4-6, 6-2, 2-6
Emma Raducanu lost a tight second-round match at the Madrid Open to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who she beat in the same round of the tournament three years ago.
Kostyuk, who received a bye into the second round, raced into a 2-0 lead but Raducanu fought back in a high-quality match which saw multiple breaks of serve and momentum swings before ultimately losing 4-6, 6-2, 2-6.
The British No. 2 moved into the ascendancy after losing the first set, winning four games in a row and breaking again to seal the second and force a decider.
But a sloppy opening service game conceded the early advantage to the 24th seed, a confident clay-court player whose movement, skilful drop shots and impressive power and accuracy gave her the edge in the deciding set.
Raducanu continued to show moments of her quality and actually won one more point than Kostyuk in the match, but couldn’t hold her serve in the crucial moments as the Ukrainian steamrolled to the finish line and served out the win at the first time of asking.
Follow live updates from their Madrid Open match below:
Marta Kostyuk speaks to Sky Sports
“I lost a very easy match to her three years ago, so not very good memories!” Kostyuk tells Sky Sports. “I knew Emma is a great fighter and she’s achieved a lot. I knew it was going to be a battle. I wasn’t expecting this match to be easy so very happy for the win.”
She says her wrist is fine after she had it seen to after the first set.
“Emma was hitting the ball very hard on the warm up so I think I overstretched it on the volley and it just got progressively worse,” she explains. “I don’t think it’s anything bad, it was just a very weird pain, I don’t normally have problems with my wrist.”
And she explains the dog who stole the show late on: “His name is Manda, my name with my coach’s name, Sandra, but the boy name! He’s super cute.”
Ukraine beat Great Britain
Raducanu’s defeat means there are no British women left in the Madrid Open draw, after Katie Boulter was dispatched 6-1, 6-2 by Jasmine Paolini earlier this morning, and another Ukrainian - 17th seed Elina Svitolina - saw off Sonay Kartal 6-3, 6-1 in the third match on Court 4.
Kostyuk to face Maria Sakkari next
Kostyuk takes her time chatting to fans and signing autographs.
She’ll play Maria Sakkari of Greece in the third round.
Stat-watch
The final stats show that was a really close match: Raducanu actually won more points, 85 to Kostyuk’s 84, but just didn’t have the accuracy on serve, especially in that final set.
Kostyuk’s serve needs some work - she sent down nine double faults to Raducanu’s four - but if she improves that she could be real force to be reckoned with, especially on this surface.
Still a good match by Raducanu, who also looks to have plenty of the tools needed to succeed on a surface that she isn’t the most familiar with to date.
Kostyuk wins 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
Kostyuk picks up her dog from her box, putting him down briefly to take selfies and sign autographs, while a member of staff stands nervously nearby.
The dog looks to be having a great time trotting around on the clay but is scooped up and escorted out!
Not every day you see that.
GAME, SET AND MATCH: Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-6 Marta Kostyuk*
Kostyuk seals it! She has Raducanu on the back foot and the Brit tries to dig out the ball, but sends it long.
Another shout and a fist pump from Kostyuk. An impressive win by the 24th seed.
Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-5 Marta Kostyuk*
Her first serve is wayward. Raducanu attacks the second and Kostyuk nets.
Another chance at 40-30.
Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-5 Marta Kostyuk*
Down the line winner by Kostyuk. Match point at 40-15.
Emma Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-5 Marta Kostyuk*
Double fault, her ninth of the match, compared to four for Raducanu.
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