After losing in a tough three-hour, two-day Rothesay Open semifinal match that went 7-6(13), 3-6, 4-6, Emma Raducanu received some words of encouragement from Katie Boulter.
The ‘Battle of the Brits’ resumed the following day in front of a full house in Nottingham, but Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was unable to find her rhythm once more. Rain had delayed the semi on Saturday after Raducanu’s first-set triumph.
Wearing knee bracing, probably from the hard fall that prompted the complaints about a slick surface, she labored during Boulter’s easy victory in the second set. Late in the third set, Boulter’s serve was broken for the first time during the match.
Raducanu showed her tenacity and resolve to instantly tie the score after Boulter had taken a 4-2 lead and appeared to be winning easily.
Raducanu, who was muttering “fight” the entire match, battled to break the reigning champion once again, and at 5-4 she was serving for the match.
But Raducanu’s new serve did not pay off, and she was broken once more when Boutler pulled through after a major scare to secure her spot in the championship match later in the day.
Raducanu, who was muttering “fight” the entire match, battled to break the reigning champion once again, and at 5-4 she was serving for the match.
But Raducanu’s new serve did not pay off, and she was broken once more when Boutler pulled through after a major scare to secure her spot in the championship match later in the day.
What a match. How amazing of a player Raducanu is, Boulter exclaimed. “She’s only gonna get better and better. She makes it so tough for you to close it out. I’m just so happy to get through today. I’m proud of myself.”
“It’s been a really tough week for me. It hasn’t been easy to get myself over the line. It’s tough to come back as defending champion. I’ve actually never done it before. This is the first time for me. So far it’s going pretty good. I just need you guys (crowd in Nottingham) to get me over the line in the next one.”
