Emma Raducanu beats Peyton Stearns to seal Washington Open quarter-finals place - 'I'm building some momentum'
By James Hilsum
Published 01/08/2024 at 08:42 GMT+1
Emma Raducanu is quietly going about her business on the other side of the Atlantic, as she moved past American Peyton Stearns to reach the Washington Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory. Raducanu is competing in the hard court tournament in the US capital after rejecting an invitation to represent Team GB at Paris 2024. It is proving to be a decision that is paying dividends.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Emma Raducanu overcame the mental battle of a lengthy rain delay to book her place in the Washington Open quarter-finals with a 7-6 6-2 win over home favourite Peyton Stearns.
The 21-year-old had to bide her time after a huge downpour caused a two-hour stoppage in play, but Raducanu would come through an edgy opener and a dominant second set to seal her progression.
It was a further moment of vindication for Raducanu, who elected not to represent Team GB on clay at the Paris 2024 Olympics Games.
She instead decided to prepare for the US Open by competing on the hard court in the United States capital, and continued her impressive summer with another valuable victory.
She will now face either Liudmila Samsonova or Paula Badosa in the last eight, with the duo in action on Thursday.
"It's tricky today, when you get rained off at such a big moment like that. It can affect the dynamics of the match," Raducanu said in quotes published by Sky Sports.
"I think I did a pretty good job of coming out pretty strong and toughing out that tiebreak.
"I knew it was going to be a tough match against Peyton, especially playing at home.
"It's been a good run for me in the last few months, I think I'm building some momentum."
There was very little to choose between the two players in a gruelling opener, as Raducanu fought off three break points to take a crucial hold at 2-2.
She followed that up by breaking the Stearns serve to seize the advantage, but agonisingly let a set-point slip and allowed the American to break back at 5-5.
A tie-break followed and Raducanu eventually drew first blood after her first set point.
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The second set was much more comprehensive, as Raducanu took an early break on route to racing into a 3-0 lead.
Stearns improved on her service game from that point with two emphatic holds to love, but was broken for a fifth and final time in the eight game and bowed out of the tournament.
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