Emma Raducanu Grapples with Unprecedented Setback Ahead of Wuhan Open
Emma Raducanu is confronting a deeply unfamiliar challenge as she prepares for her debut at the 2025 Wuhan Open: the mental toll of blowing multiple match points in consecutive defeats, an experience she described as “something that’s never happened” before. The British No. 1, ranked No. 32, squandered three match points against Jessica Pegula in a 3-6, 7-6(11-9), 6-0 third-round loss at the China Open on September 29, just weeks after failing to convert two against Barbora Krejcikova in the Korea Open final (4-6, 7-6(10), 6-1). “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… to happen twice in a week was pretty new to get my head around,” Raducanu admitted in a Wuhan press conference on October 5.
The Unfamiliar Struggle: Mental and Tactical Hurdles
Raducanu’s collapses—leading to lopsided third sets (0-6 vs. Pegula, 1-6 vs. Krejcikova)—have extended her top-10 losing streak to nine, all on hard courts since her March Miami quarterfinal win over Emma Navarro. In Beijing, she dominated the opener 6-3 but faltered in a marathon tiebreak, with a double fault and errors handing Pegula the momentum. The pattern echoes her Wimbledon fourth-round exit to Lulu Sun (five match points squandered), but the back-to-back nature marks a “new” psychological barrier. Under coach Francisco Roig (since August), Raducanu has improved her serve and fitness, but closing big matches remains elusive.
Despite the setbacks, Raducanu remains optimistic: “I think I’m moving in the right direction… I showed a lot of good things.” Her 27 wins in 2025, including a Washington semifinal (first top-10 win since 2022), signal progress toward a seeded Australian Open.
Wuhan Open: A Chance for Redemption
Raducanu faces American Ann Li (No. 47) in the first round—whom she beat 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1 at Eastbourne in June amid personal challenges. A win could lead to No. 9 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova or Victoria Mboko in the second round, followed by a potential Pegula rematch in the third—offering closure on her recent demons. The draw also pits her path toward world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (top seed, three-time Wuhan champ) and Iga Świątek (No. 2).
| Round | Potential Opponent | Notes |
|——-|——————–|——-|
| 1R | Ann Li | H2H: Raducanu 1-0 (Eastbourne win amid personal issues). |
| 2R | Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 9) or Victoria Mboko | Tough baseline battle; Alexandrova’s power a test. |
| 3R | Jessica Pegula (No. 6) | Redemption chance after China Open MP choke. |
Raducanu’s Wuhan bow offers a platform to address this “new” pressure, with analysts like Annabel Croft warning it could become a “big problem” if unaddressed. At 22, her talent remains elite—now, conquering the unfamiliar is key to WTA Finals contention.
