For nearly two hours at the China Open, Emma Raducanu showcased her versatile and steadily improving game against a formidable opponent. She appeared to be on the verge of one of the most notable victories of her career. However, when it came time to seal the win against world No. 7 Jessica Pegula, Raducanu faltered under pressure. After a promising start, her run in Beijing ended in a devastating loss as she failed to convert three match points, ultimately falling 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-0 to Pegula in the third round.
Raducanu has often excelled when leading in matches, but this marks her second consecutive defeat after holding multiple match points. Her loss to two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul just 11 days earlier was strikingly similar—she had two match points before collapsing and losing 4-6, 7-6 (10), 6-1.
In this match, Raducanu began with confidence, using her backhand slice, variety, and defensive skills to disrupt Pegula’s smooth, rhythmic play. As Pegula found her range and applied pressure, Raducanu demonstrated her growth with precise serves and powerful forehands. She held her own in a tense, high-quality second set, reaching match point at 6-5 in the tie-break.
In those crucial moments, Raducanu didn’t make major errors. Pegula saved the first two match points with stunning backhand winners from defensive positions and then forced an error from Raducanu on the third with a sharp forehand. Raducanu’s most costly mistake was a double fault at 5-4 in the tie-break. Though she bounced back quickly, Pegula seemed to gain momentum from Raducanu’s nerves.
Closing out important matches is challenging for any player, and everyone experiences setbacks. What often separates top athletes is how they respond. The most worrying aspect of Raducanu’s performance was her lack of resilience in the final set, where her energy and intensity dropped as Pegula cruised to victory. Her reaction mirrored her collapse against Krejcikova in Seoul.
For many players, the Asian tournaments mark the end of a grueling season, but this event held special significance for Raducanu. It was her long-awaited tour-level debut in China, her mother’s homeland. Working with her new coach, Francisco Roig, she has shown clear improvements, but they now face the task of analyzing one of her most difficult losses.
Meanwhile, British No. 3 Sonay Kartal continued her strong form in Beijing, advancing to the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Australia’s Maya Joint. After a tough stretch following her fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon, Kartal has regained her momentum, not dropping a set in Beijing. She will next face fourth seed Mirra Andreeva in the round of 16.For details on how we handle your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to secure our website, and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service are applicable.
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Top seed Iga Swiatek maintained her impressive run, advancing to the fourth round after Camila Osorio retired while Swiatek was leading 6-0. In the men’s Beijing event, Jannik Sinner progressed to the semi-finals with a straightforward 6-1, 7-5 victory over Fabian Marozsan.
Meanwhile, men’s world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz continued his career-best form at the Japan Open in Tokyo, reaching his ninth straight final by defeating Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. He will now take on second seed Taylor Fritz, who secured his spot with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Jenson Brooksby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Emma Raducanus match against Jessica Pegula at the China Open designed to be clear and helpful for all levels of interest
General Beginner Questions
1 Who won the match between Emma Raducanu and Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula won the match
2 What was the final score
Jessica Pegula won with a score of 64 62
3 What tournament was this
This was a match at the China Open which is a prestigious WTA 1000level event
4 Was this a big upset
Not really Jessica Pegula was the higherranked and more experienced player so she was considered the favorite to win
5 How did Emma Raducanu play overall
She showed some positive signs and fought hard but she wasnt able to maintain her level consistently against a top opponent
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What specific chances did Raducanu miss in the match
The main chances were on break points She had several opportunities to break Pegulas serve but was unable to convert them which allowed Pegula to maintain control
7 Why was Jessica Pegula so difficult for Raducanu to play against
Pegula is known for her incredibly consistent and powerful groundstrokes She doesnt make many unforced errors and forced Raducanu to play one more ball in many rallies which led to mistakes
8 Did Raducanus serve or forehand let her down
Her firstserve percentage was lower than ideal which put her under pressure immediately in her service games This combined with Pegulas relentless returning made it a tough day
9 What does this loss mean for Raducanus ranking and comeback
While a loss is always disappointing reaching the second round of a major tournament like the China Open is a solid step forward in her comeback from injury She will gain ranking points and valuable match experience against a top5 player
10 What can Raducanu learn from this match
The key takeaway is the level of consistency required at the very top To beat players like Pegula she needs to capitalize on breakpoint opportunities and cut down on unforced errors in crucial moments
