Tennis world erupts over Emma Raducanu setback before US Open defence
Emma Raducanu's preparations for her US Open title defence have taken a massive hit after the British teen was dumped out in the first round of the Canadian Open in Toronto.
Raducanu went down in straight sets to defending champion Camila Giorgi, with the Italian prevailing 7-6 (0) 6-2.
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The 19-year-old Brit last week showed guts and determination to come through the longest straight sets win on the WTA Tour this year, when she beat Camila Osorio at the Citi Open.
Raducanu battled through the pain of hand blisters in that match before seeing her run in Washington ended in the next round.
Britain's World No.10 lost in the Citi Open quarter-finals to Liudmila Samsonova, with her preparations for a US Open title defence later this month dealt another blow in the Canadian city of her birth.
The British teenager squandered chances to seize the initiative in either set in Toronto, letting a 2-0 lead slip in the second, before bowing out in one hour and 49 minutes.
"This is my game and so I should play like this always but sometimes it doesn't work," Giorgi said in her on-court interview.
Both players lost serve three times in a hard-fought opening set before Raducanu dug deep to fend off set point in the 12th game to force a tie-break.
But the 19-year-old Briton lost her way and failed to win a single point as Giorgi forced four mini-breaks to seize control and take the first set after an hour and 11 minutes.
Raducanu, who had failed to convert game point for a 5-3 lead in the opening set, broke Giorgi’s first service game in the second to lead 2-0.
But the World No.29 broke straight back and reeled off the next five games to set up a second-round clash with Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Fans reacted to Raducanu's loss with a mixture of disappointment and optimism.
Emma Raducanu is beaten AGAIN as she loses in straight sets to world No 29 Camila Giorgi in the first round of the Canadian Open... just days after she was dumped out the Citi Open
Camila Giorgi overcame her in straight sets at the Canadian Open pic.twitter.com/2uEESWUhAx— Lilian Chan (@bestgug) August 9, 2022
I always believe to Emma Raducanu. She will rise again. Yes she lost a lot, but she learns from every lost game. She only 19 years old and grand slam champion. she did it and she can do it again. #NBO22 pic.twitter.com/AoMKkmHTdg
— Kartal Legion (@kartal_legion) August 9, 2022
Emma Raducanu has never said she is going to be a world beater, dominating womens tennis.
She is learning her sport, winning when she can and enjoying any success she may have.
Its YOU that is making her out to be something she isn't.— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) August 9, 2022
The first-round loss marked less than ideal preparations for world No 10 Raducanu, 19, as she looks towards her return to New York for her US Open title defence later this month. https://t.co/w2aZf3yfAm
— Bob For A Full Brexit (@boblister_poole) August 9, 2022
Well, Reigning US open champ got owned by Giorgi. She was no match for her.
— SB (@CS3IS) August 9, 2022
And this why she is a victim of her own success. Best thing that could of happened after her USO win was for her ranking to stay where it was. It’s not A Raducanu issue it’s just a life issue. No one could of done what she done and then carry on like normal
— Owen (@owenstoodstill) August 9, 2022
The defending champion Camila Giorgi defeats Emma Raducanu in Toronto R1.
Both players have a lot of points to defend during these weeks and may drop a lot of positions in the rankings.
Giorgi played in an amazing way.— Relevant | Tennis Stats & Info (@RelevantTennis) August 9, 2022
Camila Giorgi sets up Elise Mertens showdown
Up next for Giorgi will be Belgian Elise Mertens, who was a 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 winner over Hungary's Anna Bondar.
Giorgi's match began about five hours after Serena Williams, who is also competing at the hardcourt event this week, announced plans to retire so she can focus on other things that are important to her.
News of the 23-time grand slam champion's decision dominated talk among players and fans in attendance.
Elsewhere, Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic progressed through to the second round, with a 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-3) victory over Veronika Kudermetova.
The 29-year-old needed two hours 19 minutes to see off the Russian world No.18 on Tuesday and set up a clash with top seed and world No.1 Iga Swiatek of Poland.
Also reaching the round of 32 was 10th seed Coco Gauff, a 6-1 6-3 winner over fellow American Madison Brengle, and China's Zheng Qinwen, who rallied from a set down to beat Canadian wildcard Rebecca Marino 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
with AAP
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