Emma Raducanu v Jessica Pegula LIVE: Tennis result and reaction after Briton’s impressive win at Eastbourne
Raducanu and fellow Briton Katie Boulter both reached the quarter-finals of the Rothesay International at Devonshire Park
Emma Raducanu secured one of the most "meaningful" wins of her career over world number five Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter-finals of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne
Raducanu followed up her stunning first-round win over fellow former US Open champion Sloane Stephens by digging deep to battle past American Pegula 4-6 7-6 (6) 7-5 after almost three hours in sweltering conditions. The American, who won the Berlin WTA title last week, had looked in control early on following two breaks as she opened up a 4-1 lead. Raducanu, though, rallied to pull back level at 4-4 only to then see her serve falter again as Pegula closed out the first set.
The match appeared to be running away from Raducanu - who missed the entire grass-court season last year due to wrist and ankle surgery - after she soon trailed 2-0 in the second set having again lost her opening service game. However, after finding her range from the back of the court and lifted by the home crowd, it was Pegula who started to wilt in the Eastbourne sun as Raducanu edged in front 4-3. Raducanu again dug deep to recover from 3-0 down in the tie-break to level the match as Pegula lashed another return into the net.
Remarkably, it was the first time in her career Raducanu had taken a set from a top-10 player and the 21-year-old built on the momentum into the deciding set as she broke twice to move 5-2 ahead. Pegula, though, refused to go quietly and forced a break back in the next game when Raducanu lashed a return wide.
After Pegula held, Raducanu had the chance to serve out for the match for a second time but the American went on to square things up again. Raducanu came to the net to wrap up another break and move 6-5 ahead, which left her again serving for the match. Pegula then saw three break point chances missed as Raducanu rallied from 0-40 before completing a remarkable fightback. Relive all the action from Eastbourne below:
Emma Raducanu 0-2 Jessica Pegula*
Pegula plays a stunning backhand up the line to win the first point on her serve, and quickly moves 30-0 ahead.
Raducanu hits a backhand into the net and Pegula has a chance to hold to love, which she takes with an ace!
Emma Raducanu* 0-1 Jessica Pegula - BREAK
Raducanu is the first to serve and she moves comfortably into a 30-15 lead.
But Pegula gets a good connection on the return and levels again.
Just a reminder that it is hot in Eastbourne, and Pegula has gone for a long-sleeved outfit.
Raducanu goes 40-30 ahead when Pegula hits one into the net, and a chance to secure an early hold in this match. She misses an attempted ace down the middle, and double faults to take the game to deuce.
Pegula has fought back into this and set up an early break point, and takes it.
Emma Raducanu vs Jessica Pegula
The players are out on court and the match is about to get underway
Boulter speaks after her straight sets win
Boulter: “Honestly I was just trying to slap a little bit harder than she was. I just tried to be as aggressive and consistent as I could be.
“I’m very happy.”
On the impact of winning Nottingham: “It’s definitely taken a lot of pressure off me. This season is a slightly different situation for me. Today was a match I had nothing to lose, just swinging and having fun.
Game, set match Boulter!
Boulter eased to a 15-0 lead, and follow it up with a wide ace.
Boulter wins the match on her first match point to go through into the quarter-finals with a 6-4 7-5 win over a former champion and the number five seed of the tournament.
Ostapenko is the first Grand Slam winner that Boulter has beaten.
Boulter squanders two break points, but still manages to win the game
Boulter produced a stunning backhand return down the line to set up two break points, but the first one was saved with a powerful Ostapenko serve down the middle.
But she manages to save another and it’s all level at deuce. Boulter has another chance, and this time she does take it, moving to a 6-5 lead in the second set. She will now serve for the match.
Boulter and Ostapenko level again
Boulter holds to 15, after Ostapenko secured a hold of her own, and it’s 5-5 in the second set, after the Briton won the first.
Boulter fights hard to avoid being broken
Katie Boulter has had to dig in hard to avoid being broken.
Ostapenko challenges the call on the baseline, and the call is overturned. Boulter thought she had held on her serve, but will have to replay the point.
And Ostapenko wins the next point to make it level again at deuce. Boulter manages to reclaim the advantage with a winner backhand and follows it up to level in the second set. 6-4 4-4
Jelena Ostapenko fighting back in second set
The second set has been more even and Katie Boulter is having to dig in, as the pair exchange breaks of serve. Boulter is currently serving at 6-4, 3-4.
Results so far today at Devonshire Park
Men’s singles, round of 16: Miomir Kecmanovic, Serbia, def. Sebastian Baez (4), Argentina, 6-3, 6-2. Billy Harris, Britain, def. Charles Broom, Britain, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Yoshihito Nishioka, Japan, def. Marcos Giron, United States, 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-2. Women’s singles, round of 16: Madison Keys (4), United States, def. Anhelina Kalinina, Ukraine, 7-6 (5), 6-1. Karolina Muchova, Czechia, def. Magda Linette, Poland, 6-4, 6-1.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments