Emma Raducanu vs Maria Lourdes Carle LIVE: Madrid Open result and reaction as Brit suffers surprise defeat
Raducanu suffered a shock defeat in the first-round of the Madrid Open
Emma Raducanu suffered a surprise defeat to qualifier Maria Lourdes Carle in the first round of the Madrid Open.
Raducanu shot up 82 places in the WTA rankings after scoring four victories in a row between the Billie Jean Cup and the Stuttgart Open, where the Briton put up a strong performance in her quarter-final defeat to World No 1 Iga Swiatek.
She had hoped to build on an impressive showing on the German clay in the Spanish capital, but produced a sloppy outing, producing too many errors to let the Argentine seize control. The 2021 US Open champion had been drawn against Karolina Pliskova, but the former World No 1 withdrew earlier this week, affording the opportunity to Carle to secure a significant win as she continued a breakthrough season that has seen her climb into the world’s top 100.
She will now face the 17th seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round, with Raducanu forced to reflect on another disappointing defeat with her French Open participation still in doubt. Follow reaction from Raducanu vs Lourdes Carle from the Madrid Open below
Emma Raducanu 0-3 Maria Lourdes Carle*
Plenty of fight shown in that last game, but Emma Raducanu is struggling on serve early on. Maria Lourdes Carle is using her powerful forehand effectively to dominate the flow, securing a second break of the match.
Emma Raducanu* 0-2 Maria Lourdes Carle
Eventually, Carle seals it out for a 2-0 lead.
Emma Raducanu 0-1 (40-40) Maria Lourdes Carle
Two more deuces quickly arrive. This is a real battle.
Emma Raducanu 0-1 (40-40) Maria Lourdes Carle
Maria Lourdes Carle takes the first seven points of the match before pushing a slice backhand long. Emma Raducanu forces another error with a deep backhand, and then produces a delicious crosscourt passing shot after a drop shot draws Carle forward.
And a break point! Top work from Raducanu after a shaky start. Can she take it? Nope, Carle gets ahead in the rally and finishes it off with a driving winner from the baseline. Back to deuce.
Smooth moving from Carle and a fourth chance at securing the game is hers. A backhand into the net - on we go.
Emma Raducanu 0-1 Maria Lourdes Carle*
A rough start for Emma Raducanu -a handful of errors and the first game is ceded rather too easily.
Emma Raducanu 0-0 Maria Lourdes Carle
Emma Raducanu will serve first - we’re up and running in Madrid.
A decent-length rally to start, Raducanu coming forward into a big forehand but then dragging a loopier effort wide. First point the way of the Argentine.
Emma Raducanu vs Maria Lourdes Carle
The two players are out on court, Raducanu again with that strapping around her left knee but seemingly moving freely.
Emma Raducanu vs Maria Lourdes Carle
So with Naomi Osaka safely through, Emma Raducanu will be next up on court at the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium. Can the Brit build on the form she showed in Germany last week?
Naomi Osaka through to second round
And that’s that for Greet Minnen - Naomi Osaka warpas up a 6-4, 6-1 victory to progress in Madrid. She took a bit of time to settle in but that was mightily impressive stuff from Osaka to dominate the second set.
It’ll be Liudmila Samsonova, the 15th seed, next up in the second round for Osaka. That’s her first victory on clay of the year.
Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza announces retirement
Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from tennis.
The 30-year-old Spaniard won the French Open in 2016 before lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish on Centre Court the following summer but she had not played a competitive match since January 2023.
At a press conference last week where she was announced as a Laureus Ambassador, Muguruza said: “If 25 years ago, when I started hitting my first tennis balls, someone had told me that I would become a professional tennis player, that I would fulfil my dream of winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon, that I would become number one in the world and win the WTA Finals, I would have thought this person was crazy.
“Tennis has given me a lot in this first part of my life. It has been a fantastic journey in which I have experienced unique situations. I have travelled all over the world and experienced many different cultures.
“I am tremendously grateful to all the people who have helped and accompanied me throughout this chapter, because without them I would not have been able to get here.”
Former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza announces retirement
The 30-year-old Spaniard, who beat Serena and Venus Williams in grand slam finals, had not played a match for more than a year
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments