- Emma Raducanu did well to reach the quarterfinals but lost a lead in the final set
- The 21-year-old skipped the Paris Olympics to compete in Washington, USA
- Paula Badosa – one half of ‘Tsitsidosa’ – fought back and reached the semi-finals
Emma Raducanu lost in the quarter-finals of Washington to Paula Badosa, after rejecting Team GB and the Olympics to compete in the American tournament.
The 21-year-old Briton looked on the verge of her biggest semi-final since her US Open triumph three years ago when she led 3-1 in the third set.
But Badosa fought back in the scorching temperatures to secure a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory in two and three quarters of an hour.
Raducanu, who is still making her comeback after wrist and ankle surgery, played the WTA 500 tournament instead of in Paris.
She did not want to return to the clay courts of Roland Garros in preparation for her comeback at the US Open, the scene of her memorable victory in 2021.
Emma Raducanu squandered a lead and was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Washington Open
Former world number two Paula Badosa fought back to reach the semi-finals 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
After having already defeated Elise Mertens and Peyton Stearns in the American capital, Raducanu started aggressively against Badosa and secured a break in the opening game.
Spaniard Badosa, with whom Raducanu had trained and had lunch before the tournament, held his ground for the remainder of the first set but was unable to force a single break point.
Raducanu, serving with confidence, took her third set point and decided the opening match in 49 minutes.
When Badosa finally got a break point early in the second half, Raducanu ended the danger with an ace through the middle.
But Badosa put pressure on the scoreboard and at 6-5 she increased the pressure by scoring a third set point through Raducanu.
After temperatures rose to 36 degrees Celsius, the players were given five minutes of rest before Raducanu emerged and immediately secured a break at the start of the deciding match.
But Badosa got the break back: 3-3 when Raducanu made a double fault.
Badosa saved three break points in the next round, the second with an ace on her second serve, and with all the momentum seemingly on her side of the net, she broke for 5-3.
Raducanu turned down the chance to compete with Team GB at the Olympics but did well to reach the last eight in Washington
But Raducanu, the only active British player to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Murray retired, had other plans and saved a match point with a nervy winner before breaking back.
But a match that deserved a better ending ended when a tired Raducanu double-faulted on Badosa’s second match point.
Badosa will face world number 49 Caroline Dolehide in the semi-finals, who defeated compatriot Amanda Anisimova 7-6 (5) 6-1.