Emma Raducanu’s hopes of another strong WTA 1000 run ended with a second-round loss to Marta Kostyuk at the Madrid Open.
The former US Open champion reached the quarter-finals of one of the WTA Tour’s premier events for the first time at the Miami Open last month but will not be repeating the feat in the Spanish capital.
Raducanu battled hard in a topsy-turvy clash with 24th seed Kostyuk but eventually fell to a 6-4 2-6 6-2 loss despite winning one more point than her opponent.
Raducanu had beaten her Ukrainian rival comfortably in their last meeting at the same tournament three years ago but made a poor start here.
She dug in to claw her way back from 1-3 to 3-3 only for two double faults to see her immediately drop serve again, with Kostyuk going on to take the opening set.
Kostyuk received treatment to her right wrist ahead of the second set and this time it was Raducanu who made the stronger start, with the 22-year-old levelling the match thanks to a run of four games in a row.
Raducanu takes the second set and foces it into a decider vs Kostyuk 💪@EmmaRaducanu | #MMOPENpic.twitter.com/Bwp5SHu5l3
— wta (@WTA) April 25, 2025
But a poor game from Raducanu, who is continuing to work informally with coach Mark Petchey, to start the decider set the tone as Kostyuk powered her way to the finish line.
It was a disappointing day for the British women, with Katie Boulter thumped 6-1, 6-2 by Jasmine Paolini in just 56 minutes.
The British No 1 is still inexperienced on clay and proved no match for the sixth seed, who reached the French Open final last season.
full of confidence 🫡@JasminePaolini defeats Boulter 6-1, 6-2!#MMOPENpic.twitter.com/itd8xR9KAr
— wta (@WTA) April 25, 2025
Boulter particularly struggled on serve, winning only 11 points in the match, while she did not hold serve until the penultimate game of the contest.
Paolini had a chance to clinch an even more decisive victory when she held a first match point at 5-0 in the second set but Boulter at least rallied a little to avoid a love-set.
It was a similar story for Sonay Kartal against in-form Elina Svitolina, the British No 3 losing out 6-3, 6-1 to the 17th seed.
05:47 PM BST
Kostyuk wins the match 6-4, 2-6, 6-2!
Nice backhand volley from Kostyuk sees the Ukrainain win the opening point. A double fault then sees Raducanu get to 15-15.
The Briton then sprays a forehand return long and can do nothing about a clean backhand down the line from Kostyuk at 30-15.
Raducanu saves the first match point with a deep return but Kostyuk wins the next point with a huge backhand!
Game, set and match Marta Kostyuk!
Emma Raducanu is OUT of the Madrid Open ❌ pic.twitter.com/w2ceTIm6R4
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) April 25, 2025
05:41 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu* 4-6, 6-2, 2-5 (24)Kostyuk
An extended rally sees Kostyuk finish on top to go 0-15 ahead. The Ukrainian then follows up with a nice angled forehand cross to go 0-30. Raducanu stops the rot after a brilliant rally and follows up with a big first serve to level things up at 30-30.
Kostyuk then gets another break point look after drawing an error from the Briton. Raducanu saves the first break point after some gutsy defending from Kostyuk but the Briton hits a forehand long to give the Ukrainian a second look. Kostyuk nets a second-serve return. Deuce.
A big forehand winner from Kostyuk brings up her third break point and she takes it after putting away a mid-court forehand.
05:33 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-4 (24)Kostyuk*
Kostyuk hits an easy short backhand out as Raducanu goes 0-15. The Ukrainian then levels things up with a forehand winner before taking the lead following a Raducanu error.
Raducanu then gets to 30-40 with a nice forehand pass and then deuce as Kostyuk sprays a forehand out. A clever drop shot then brings up game point for Kostyuk and she takes it to consolidate the break.
05:27 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu* 4-6, 6-2, 2-3 (24)Kostyuk
A couple of Kostyuk errors bring Raducanu back into the game after falling 0-15 behind.
The Ukrainian then gets to 30-30 after closing out at the net following an attempted drop shot from Raducanu.
Break point for Kostyuk after getting the better of Raducanu in an extended baseline exchange and the Ukrainian breaks for the fifth time in this contest!
05:23 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 2-2 (24)Kostyuk*
Kostyuk wins the opening point before netting an attempted drop shot as Raducanu gets to 15-15.
A double fault then sees Raducanu get to 15-30 but Kostyuk levels things up with the help of a net cord before Raducanu gets a break point look after a strong return off a Kostyuk first serve.
Raducanu breaks to level things up and she looks well up for it again!
05:18 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu* 4-6, 6-2, 1-2 (24)Kostyuk
Raducanu races to a 30-0 lead after a combination of smart net-play and composed baseline hitting.
A Kostyuk return error sees Raducanu get to 40-0 and the Briton holds to love.
05:15 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu 4-6, 6-2, 0-2 (24)Kostyuk*
Kostyuk wins the opening point before Raducanu levels things up at 15-15.
The Briton then jumps all over a Kostyuk second serve to go 15-30 but the Ukrainian levels up with a forehand winner.
Kostyuk eventually holds to 30 to consolidate the break.
05:11 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu* 4-6, 6-2, 0-1 (24)Kostyuk
Raducanu wins the opening point after a strong body serve.
Kostyuk then gets on the board before Raducanu gets to 30-15. The Ukrainian then catches Raducanu off guard with a well timed drop shot to get to 30-30.
The Ukrainian breaks at the first time of asking.
Raducanu was not happy with her camp during that game.
05:06 PM BST
Raducanu wins the second set 6-2!
Raducanu races to 0-30 lead before Kostyuk nets a backhand to give the Briton three set points.
The Ukrainian saves the first as Raducanu goes long from the baseline but Raducanu wins the next point to break Kostyuk again and take this second set.
We are going to three on Court No 4.
05:00 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu* 4-6, 5-2 (24)Kostyuk
Raducanu, serving with new balls, wins the opening point after a Kostyuk return sails long.
The Briton then nets a forehand to go 15-15. Raducanu then pushes a forehand long to fall 15-30 behind.
Two errors from Raducanu bring up a break point for Kostyuk and she is unable to take the game after netting a forehand.
Raducanu then brings up her own game point after some good baseline play but Kostyuk catches the Briton again with a forehand winner down the line.
A huge serve out wide brings up another game point for Raducanu and the Briton does hold to consolidate the break!
04:53 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu 4-6, 4-2 (24)Kostyuk*
Kostyuk wins the opening point with a forehand up the line. Raducanu then draws an error from the Ukrainian to go 15-15 before Kostyuk regains the lead.
Raducanu, dictating play from the baseline, gets to 30-30 before Kostyuk double faults to hand Raducanu a break point. Raducanu does break after Kostyuk double faults again.
04:48 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu* 4-6, 3-2 (24)Kostyuk
Raducanu finishes the opening point at the net with a drive forehand volley before Kostyuk gets on the board with a forehand volley winner of her own.
A nice forehand down the line sees Raducanu get to 30-15 and another brilliant forehand, this time cross court, gets the Briton to 40-15. Raducanu holds.
04:44 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu 4-6, 2-2 (24)Kostyuk*
Raducanu wins the opening point before going long on a second-serve return. Another error from Raducanu sees Kostyuk get to 30-15 but the Ukrainian then goes long with ground stroke to give Raducanu another look in.
A clean forehand down the line brings up game point for Kostyuk who eventually holds to 30. Level again in this second set.
04:40 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu* 4-6, 2-1 (24)Kostyuk
Big first serve sets up the point nicely for Raducanu. Kostyuk then comes out on top after a bit of jousting at the net. A nice forehand cross then sees Kostyuk get to 15-30 and then a nice lob brings up two break points.
Raducanu saves the first with a big forehand winner from the baseline. Kostyuk does break as Raducanu nets a backhand after an extended rally.
04:35 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu 4-6, 2-0 (24)Kostyuk*
Kostyuk wins the opening point before Raducanu gets to 15-15. Another error sees Raducanu get to 15-30 before a strong backhand gets Kostyuk to 30-30.
A huge forehand return winner brings up a break point for Raducanu and Kostyuk double faults to gift Raducanu a break of serve.
04:31 PM BST
Second set: Raducanu* 4-6, 1-0 (24)Kostyuk
Kostyuk rips a huge forehand down the line to win the opening point. The Ukrainian then goes long with a forehand as Raducanu gets on the board. The Briton draws another error from Kostyuk as Raducanu gets to 40-15 and holds as Kostyuk nets a backhand.
04:24 PM BST
Physio called for Kostyuk
Kostyuk has called for the physio. Looks like the Ukrainian is having issues with her right wrist.
A medical timeout has been announced as Mark Petchey and Raducanu engage in deep conversation at the side of the court.
04:20 PM BST
Kostyuk takes the first set 6-4!
Kostyuk wins the opening point after some big baseline hitting from both ladies.
The Ukrainian then gets to 30-0 after Raducanu tries to attack a second serve. The Briton then nets a forehand to bring up three set points for Kostyuk who double faults on the first.
Raducanu then nets a forehand return as the Ukrainian holds to win the first set 6-4.
04:16 PM BST
Raducanu* 4-5 (24)Kostyuk
Kostyuk wins the opening point. A good first serve then sees Raducanu get to 15-15 before the Briton draws another error from the Ukrainian to get to 30-15.
Kostyuk closes out at the net with a lovely backhand volley drop shot and then another volley at 30-40 after some good approach play.
Raducanu does eventually hold after drawing an error from Kostyuk. The Ukrainian will try and serve out the first set after the sitdown.
04:10 PM BST
Raducanu 3-5 (24)Kostyuk*
Raducanu hits a clean return winner before Kostyuk levels things up at 15-15.
A second-serve ace sees Kostyuk get to 30-15. Double fault sees Raducanu get to 30-30 before Kostyuk rips a forehand down the line. The Ukrainian then closes out the game with forehand drive volley.
04:05 PM BST
Raducanu* 3-4 (24)Kostyuk
Kostyuk wins the opening point as Raducanu goes long with a forehand on the stretch. Raducanu then nets a forehand volley as Kostyuk goes up 0-30.
Good second serve followed by a well placed backhand gets Raducanu to 15-30 but the Briton then double faults, 15-40. First break point is saved as Kostyuk nets a baseline backhand.
Raducanu then double faults again to gift Kostyuk another break of serve.
04:00 PM BST
Raducanu 3-3 (24)Kostyuk*
Big forehand winner down the line sees Raducanu win the opening point after an extended rally.
Kostyuk then double faults to fall 0-30 behind. A deep return from Raducanu brings up three break points for the Briton. Kostyuk saves the first with a clean cross-court backhand winner. But Raducanu does eventually break to level things up.
Back on serve!
03:55 PM BST
Raducanu* 2-3 (24)Kostyuk
Raducanu wins the opening point before Kostyuk draws an error from the Briton to get to 15-15. Kostyuk then brings Raducanu forward after playing a drop shot that the Briton is slow to get to but does make as Kostyuk plays the ball into the open court.
Double fault brings up two break points for Kostyuk. Raducanu saves the first and the second as Kostyuk nets a second-serve return.
Good approach shot from Raducanu leaves Kostyuk scrambling at the back of the court as Raducanu gets to advantage. Kostyuk then wins the next two points but is unable to break. Raducanu ends up saving four break points before eventually holding.
Two big first serves help Raducanu eventually see out the game.
03:45 PM BST
Raducanu 1-3 (24)Kostyuk*
Huge return winner on the forehand side sees Raducanu win the opening point. Kostyuk then gets the better of the Briton after an extended rally to level things up at 15-15.
The Ukrainian then nets an attempted drop shot as Raducanu gets to 15-30 before hitting a second-serve return long, 30-30. Kostyuk then hits two deep forehands to bring up game point and the Ukrainian holds after finishing the point with a backhand volley.
03:39 PM BST
Raducanu* 1-2 (24)Kostyuk
Raducanu wins the opening point on serve for the first time in this match. She then gets to 30-0 after drawing an error from Kostyuk.
The Ukrainian then gets to 30-15 after a front-foot point finished again at the net before Raducanu eventually holds to get on the board.
03:36 PM BST
Raducanu 0-2 (24)Kostyuk*
Kostyuk wins the opening point after an extended rally. Kostyuk then gets to 30-0 after following up an approach and finishing at the net with a nice forehand volley.
Raducanu gets on the board after drawing an error from the Ukrainian but Kostyuk wins the next point to bring up two game points.
A double fault sees Raducanu get to 40-30 but Kostyuk closes out the game with a big forehand down the line to consolidate the break.
03:32 PM BST
First Set: Emma Raducanu* 0-1 (24)Marta Kostyuk (denotes server)
Kostyuk races to a 0-30 lead after a couple of errors from Raducanu.
Another backhand long sees Kosyuk get to 0-40. A big serve down the T sees Raducanu get to 15-40 but Kostyuk wins the next point to immediately break serve.
03:26 PM BST
Coin toss
Marta Kostyuk and Emma Raducanu are on court and warming up.
Kostyuk won the toss and has elected to receive.
03:21 PM BST
Raducanu-Kostyuk preview
Good afternoon and welcome to second-round coverage of Emma Raducanu versus 24th seed Marta Kostyuk at the Mutua Madrid Open.
The pair last met in Madrid in 2022 Raducanu came out on top in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. Before that, Kostyuk got the better of the Briton in the quarter-finals in Cluj, winning by the same scoreline.
Kostyuk being the 24th seed received a first-round bye so this will be the Ukrainian’s first tour-level match on clay this season after she withdraw from Stuttgart last week.
Raducanu, now the last Briton standing in the women’s draw in Mardid, comes into the match high on confidence after beating Dutch No 1 Suzan Lamens 7-6, 6-4 in the first round.
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