Emma Raducanu has suffered two agonising defeats in recent weeks after having match points.
Raducanu had three match points against Jessica Pegula, who admitted she got ‘lucky’ in her win at the China Open.
After losing the second set tie-break, Raducanu faded in the deciding set where she won just 12 points.
This is very similar to what happened against Barbora Krejcikova at the Korea Open, and Raducanu has now reflected on those two defeats.
Emma Raducanu admits she found it easier to get over her defeat to Jessica Pegula
Although she was unable to win her third round match at the China Open, Raducanu impressed with her level of tennis against Pegula.
This appears to be something that Raducanu is taking from the match as well, rather than the fact that she failed to convert three match points.
As a result, Raducanu admitted that she found it easier to get over her defeat to Pegula than her loss to Krejcikova in Seoul.
“Yeah, I think it was hard for me,” Raducanu told press ahead of the Wuhan Open. “The last two matches that I lost, I had match points in both. And it’s not something that’s really happened to me before and then to happen twice in a week was pretty new to get my head around.”
“I think the second match I found it easier to get over than the first because I know I was playing some better tennis and just improving with my level.
“I feel like I didn’t take too long to kind of dwell on it and just got straight back to work and trying to get ready as best as possible for this week.”
Emma Raducanu explains what was different about her latest match with Jessica Pegula
The China Open was the second time that Raducanu has played Pegula in 2025, having also lost to the 2024 US Open finalist at the Miami Open in March.
When comparing the two matches, Raducanu explained that she felt a lot more confident at the China Open.
“I think I was doing things that I wasn’t really doing in the first part of the year,” said Raducanu. “I think I was also dealing with Jessie’s ball pretty well compared to when we played in Miami.
“I felt just a lot more confident and composed when I was playing her this time round, which was good for me. And I do feel like I’m improving and making progress.
“I still see the differences in where I want to go but I know I’m doing good work day to day to try and get there.”
Raducanu could face Pegula once again over the coming week, as she makes her debut at the Wuhan Open.
The Briton will play Ann Li in the first round of the Wuhan Open, with a potential third round meeting against Pegula.
This is all part of a busy schedule for Raducanu, that she has been highly praised for.
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