Emma Raducanu’s hopes of advancing in the Madrid Open came to a disappointing end as she fell to Marta Kostyuk in a gripping second-round match on April 25, 2025. The former US Open champion, currently ranked World No. 49, faced the 24th seed in a clash that showcased the intense rivalry and contrasting styles of both players.
Raducanu, who started her 2025 season with a series of early exits, seemed to have turned a corner at the Miami Open last month, reaching the quarterfinals and putting up a strong fight against American Jessica Pegula. Her confidence appeared to carry over into Madrid, where she began her campaign with a straight-sets victory over Suzan Lamens, indicating her readiness to compete on clay.
However, the match against Kostyuk proved to be a different challenge altogether. The two players had met twice before, with their head-to-head record standing at 1-1 in WTA events. Raducanu had previously emerged victorious in their only encounter on clay at the Madrid Open three years ago, but this time, the stakes were higher.
The match took place on Court 4, with Raducanu and Kostyuk set to play as the fourth match of the day. Fans anticipated a thrilling showdown, and the match did not disappoint. Raducanu started the first set poorly, falling behind early before managing to claw her way back to 3-3. However, a couple of double faults allowed Kostyuk to break serve and take the first set 6-4.
In the second set, Kostyuk received treatment for her right wrist, which seemed to affect her performance. Raducanu seized the opportunity, showcasing her powerful backhand and tactical skills. She leveled the match by winning the second set 6-2, thanks to a run of four games in a row, demonstrating her fighting spirit and resilience.
As the decider began, Raducanu’s momentum appeared to falter. A poor start set the tone for the final set, where Kostyuk capitalized on Raducanu’s mistakes. Despite Raducanu winning one more point than her opponent throughout the match, she ultimately succumbed to Kostyuk, who powered through with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory.
The loss was particularly disheartening for Raducanu, who had been looking to build on her recent successes. This defeat marked a setback in her clay-court campaign, especially after her impressive performance in Miami. Kostyuk, on the other hand, demonstrated her capabilities as she moved forward in the tournament, showing that she is a formidable opponent on the WTA Tour.
In addition to Raducanu’s defeat, the day was tough for British tennis, with fellow compatriot Katie Boulter suffering a heavy loss to Jasmine Paolini, going down 6-1, 6-2 in just 56 minutes. Boulter struggled on serve and failed to hold her game together against the sixth seed, who reached the French Open final last season.
Moreover, Sonay Kartal also faced a challenging match, losing to Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-1. With Raducanu now the last British player standing in the women’s draw, all eyes will be on her as she looks to regroup and refocus for the upcoming tournaments.
The Madrid Open runs from April 22 to May 4, 2025, and features a combined WTA and ATP event. As the tournament progresses, fans are eager to see how the remaining players perform, especially with the likes of Kostyuk advancing further in the draw.
Despite the disappointment of the day, Raducanu’s journey is far from over. Her determination and skill have always been evident, and as she continues to develop her game, fans remain hopeful for her future performances on the court.
Overall, the match was a testament to the competitive spirit of women’s tennis, highlighting the skill and tenacity of both Raducanu and Kostyuk. With the tournament still ongoing, tennis enthusiasts will be eagerly watching to see who will rise to the occasion in Madrid.
As the dust settles on this second-round clash, the Madrid Open promises to deliver more thrilling matches, with the competition heating up as players vie for the prestigious title.
