Emma Raducanu loses three-hour epic in first round of Singapore Open | Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu got here up quick in a three-hour marathon to crash out within the first spherical of the Singapore Open. The British No 2 misplaced 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in a match that includes 17 breaks of serve.

Raducanu, the world No 56, was taking part in in her first match since splitting with coach Nick Cavaday, who stepped down final week due to well being points. As a substitute, the 22-year-old had her mom Renee for firm within the stands, in addition to new health coach Yutaka Nakamura. However Raducanu nonetheless flagged because the end line approached on the finish of a brutal encounter.

The 2021 US Open champion, who reached the third spherical finally week’s Australian Open, saved two break factors within the first recreation with a pair of aces. Bucsa, the world No 101, served for the primary set however was reeled again in by a whipped Raducanu forehand winner.

Raducanu, seeded seventh, sealed a assured maintain to like with an ace after which took her first set level with one other clubbing forehand. She retrieved an early break within the second set for 5-5 however Bucsa, showcasing a few of the volleying which helped her win an Olympic bronze medal in girls’s doubles final yr, struck once more to degree the match.

A jittery deciding set featured seven breaks as double faults started to creep in at Raducanu’s finish. Bucsa served for the match at 6-5 and though Raducanu saved two match factors, the Moldovan-born 27-year-old transformed her third to seal the win in three hours and two minutes.