Emma Raducanu missed match points for the second week in a row before crumbling to an agonising defeat to Jessica Pegula at the China Open.
Raducanu looked to be on her way to claiming her best win in six months as she led 5-2 in the second set tiebreak, having played superbly to take the first set against the World No 7 in Beijing.
The British No 1 had three separate chances to win the match in the tiebreak but could not take them as Pegula stayed alive and forced the third. From there, Raducanu’s energy dropped and Pegula raced away with the match, winning 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-0.
To add to Raducanu’s heartbreak, the 22-year-old also suffered a remarkably similar defeat to Barbora Krejcikova in the Korea Open last week, losing in three sets to the former Wimbledon champion after having two match points in the second-set tiebreak.
The fight from Raducanu rapidly faded away in the third and her losing streak against the best players in the world also continued. She has now lost nine matches in a row against top-10 opponents, a run that stretches back to her Miami Open quarter-final defeat to Pegula in March.
Raducanu v Pegula live: China Open latest score and updates
- Raducanu blows three match points to lose in three sets to Pegula
- Pegula races to third-set after staying alive in second-set tiebreak
- Raducanu has now lost nine matches in a row to top-10 opponents
- SECOND SET! Pegula saves three match points to win tiebreak 11-9
- FIRST SET! Impressive Raducanu races to 6-3 set against Pegula
Jannik Sinner made to ‘fight’ as he sets up Alex de Minaur clash at China Open
14:52 , Jamie BraidwoodJannik Sinner showed his battling qualities to reach the China Open semi-finals with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Hungarian Fabian Marozsan, as the Italian stepped up his bid to narrow the gap on world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner lost the top ranking after surrendering his US Open crown to the Spaniard this month but has responded well to the setback in Beijing, claiming a seventh semi-final spot in the eight tournaments he has played this year.
Jannik Sinner made to ‘fight’ as he sets up Alex de Minaur clash at China Open
Carlos Alcaraz overcomes slow start to defeat Casper Ruud and reach Japan Open final
13:52 , Jamie BraidwoodWorld number one Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Casper Ruud 3-6 6-3 6-4 and reach the Japan Open final where he will meet second seed Taylor Fritz with the chance to claim his eighth title of the year.
Alcaraz will also be seeking revenge in Tuesday's clash in Tokyo after a shock defeat by Fritz at the Laver Cup in San Francisco this month, his first loss to the American in four career meetings.
Carlos Alcaraz overcomes slow start to defeat Casper Ruud and reach Japan Open final
Emma Raducanu suffers heartbreaking China Open defeat as familiar pattern emerges
12:05 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu spurned match points for the second week in a row as the British No 1 fell to a three-set defeat to Jessica Pegula at the China Open in Beijing.
Raducanu looked to be surging to an impressive win over the World No 7 Pegula as she led 5-2 in the second-set tiebreak, having taken the first set with some eye-catching play.
But mistakes from the 22-year-old opened the door for Pegula to stay alive and she could not take any of her three match points, as the fifth seed eventually prevailed 11-9 to force the decider.
From there, the American won six games in a row to race to the finish line and wrap up a battling 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-0 win in two hours and 23 minutes.
Emma Raducanu suffers heartbreaking China Open defeat as familiar pattern emerges
Raducanu's losing run against top-10 opponents continues
11:30 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s now nine defeats in a row for Raducanu against top-10 players. She is getting closer, but this was a golden opportunity to record a big win today and it slipped through her fingers.
vs Pegula (7), China Open, 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-0
vs Rybakina (10), US Open, 1-6 1-2
vs Sabalenka (1), Cincinnati, 6-7 6-3 6-7
vs Anisimova (7), Montreal, 2-6 1-6
vs Sabalenka (1), Wimbledon, 6-7 4-6
vs Zheng (5), Queens, 2-6, 4-6
vs Swiatek (5), French Open, 1-6 2-6
vs Gauff (2), Italian Open, 1-6 2-6
vs Pegula (4), Miami Open, 4-6 7-6 2-6
vs Navarro (8), Miami Open, 7-6 2-6 7-6
vs Swiatek (2), Australian Open, 1-6 0-6
Jessica Pegula reacts to victory
11:26 , Jamie Braidwood“That was a crazy match,” says Jessica Pegula after saving those three match points to reach the last-16 of the China Open.
“It was a lot of fun. That was really intense but I got myself back into the tiebreak. When she hit the double-fault I knew I was playing well and it was right there. I got a bit lucky when I hit the backhand winners. But I just tried to keep fighting for as long as I could.”
GAME, SET AND MATCH!
11:22 , Jamie BraidwoodAn absolute heartbreaker.
Raducanu had three match points in the second-set tiebreak but the fight vanished after Pegula stayed alive to force the third set.
The American wraps up the match by winning the third-set in rapid fashion. Raducanu saved the first match point as she put all of her frustration into a backhand winner.
But Raducanu then made a couple of big misses and Pegula wraps up a gutsy win.
But it’s a sickener for Raducanu, who quickly heads off court.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-5 Jessica Pegula
11:15 , Jamie BraidwoodA flash from Raducanu as she lands a forehand winner but Pegula is too solid in the next rally and a miss from Raducanu brings up break point.
Raducanu goes wide on the forehand and Pegula gets the third break of serve.
She’ll serve for the match next. Ouch.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-4 Jessica Pegula
11:11 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu goes for a big forehand return but hits it long.
Pegula slams an ace to move 4-0 ahead. This match has completely shifted.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-3 Jessica Pegula*
11:08 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Beijing crowd looks to respond as Raducanu wins a point with a forehand winner.
But the energy has drained out of Raducanu and she slumps back to her set after going a double-break down in the third.
This is tough.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-2 Jessica Pegula
11:04 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula has also raised her level and is playing some superb stuff to start the third set. With power and touch, she’s mixing it up to brush Raducanu aside.
A crunching backhand winner moves Pegula 2-0 up in the third.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-1 Jessica Pegula*
11:02 , Jamie BraidwoodOh heck. Raducanu comes out to serve to start the second set but faces 0-30 and then makes a double-fault.
Three break points for Pegula: Raducanu saves the first two, as she puts away the volley at the net.
Raducanu is not aggressive enough in the rally and Pegula changes it up with the drop shot, leaving Raducanu stranded.
Not the start she needed.
Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 0-0 Jessica Pegula*
10:59 , Jamie BraidwoodHow can Raducanu recover from this? She fell away against Krejcikova in the third set last week, having also spurned match points in the second-set tiebreak.
Can she rally after playing some superb tennis until this point?
SECOND SET! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-7 Jessica Pegula
10:55 , Jamie BraidwoodYIKES! Raducanu goes wide on the forehand! And Pegula saves three match points in the tiebreak to stay alive and force the decider!
11-9! An epic!
Is it happening again to Raducanu? How will she recover from this ahead of the third set?
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:54 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu nets on the forehand and now Pegula will have set point!
Oh boy. It’s 10-9, Pegula’s serve.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:53 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu and Pegula exchange moon balls... this is tense, but Raducanu goes long!
Three match points have come and gone, and this is after holding two match points against Krejcikova last week!
9-9!
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:52 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula missed the volley after another brilliant rally, the court was open but Raducanu gets the gift!
A third match point, and this one on serve.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:52 , Jamie BraidwoodPEGULA WITH THE BACKHAND WINNER DOWN THE LINE ON MATCH POINT!
She caught the tape and Raducanu looked to be in control on the forehand.
But Pegula escapes! Second match point saved.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:50 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula nets on the serve out wide and Raducanu will have a second match point!
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:50 , Jamie BraidwoodAwesome from Raducanu! Pegula absorbs the blows and Raducanu gets her head to finds the forehand winner drive volley! 7-7.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:49 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula finds the big serve and will now have set point at 7-6!
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:49 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula saves with a brilliant, instinctive backhand winner down the line! Raducanu had put the pressure on with a deep return into her feet but that was incredible from the American!
6-6 and match point saved!
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:47 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu finds the backhand winner down the line and will have match point!
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:47 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s tight from Raducanu! A double-fault and Pegula gets back on serve in the tiebreak after winning her third point in a row. 5-5!
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:45 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula is grumbling behind the baseline as she fires out, having been put under pressure from Raducanu’s return.
Five points in a row for Raducanu, but Pegula ends the strike on serve with the forehand winner. 5-3 to Raducanu.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:44 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother big point goes Raducanu’s way as she moves superbly on the baseline to outlast Pegula.
And Raducanu has hit her stride as she launches into a forehand winner to lead 4-2 at the change of ends.
Three points away...
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:43 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula gets the early advantage as she wins the first couple of points, adding to the importance of Raducanu firing the wide serve to get to 1-2.
Winner down the line from Raducanu! Excellent backhand down the line. 2-2.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:41 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu has a 7-8 tiebreak record this year but has lost the last three in a row, including to Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul last week.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 6-6 Jessica Pegula
10:40 , Jamie BraidwoodMassive hitting from Raducanu to scorch the forehand winner, and she backs it up with an ace out wide.
She’s looking to hit the tiebreak on a roll but double faults to offer Pegula a bit of a look at 40-30... Suddenly it’s quite nervy.
But Raducanu finds the big serve down the middle and gets through! Off to the tiebreak.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 5-6 Jessica Pegula
10:36 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu wins another entertaining point with quick hands at the net.
But Pegula looks solid and steady as she rocks the backhand winner down the line.
Raducanu must serve for the tiebreak.
Emma Raducanu 6-3 5-5 Jessica Pegula*
10:32 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu is almost taken off her feet by the backhand return from Pegula, who is two points from the set at 30-30.
Raducanu can’t find the first serve but the second-serve return miss from Pegula goes way long. That’s a big gift.
Raducanu takes it and takes the hold with the forehand winner.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 4-5 Jessica Pegula
10:29 , Jamie BraidwoodBig game coming up for Raducanu.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 4-5 Jessica Pegula
10:27 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula rattles through another quick hold. The fifth seed has really upped her level towards the end of the second set as she battles to stay alive in this match.
Emma Raducanu 6-3 4-4 Jessica Pegula*
10:25 , Jamie BraidwoodBrilliant hold Raducanu. She battles from 0-30 down, firing an ace, then winning a gutsy point as she hammered her forehand at Pegula and finally blasted her way through.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 3-4 Jessica Pegula
10:18 , Jamie BraidwoodA love-hold from Pegula after the American started the game with a forehand winner.
That might be the quickest hold of serve we’ve seen.
Emma Raducanu 6-3 3-3 Jessica Pegula*
10:17 , Jamie BraidwoodGreat hold from Raducanu. From deuce, she lands a stunning forehand winner down the line, inside-in.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 2-3 Jessica Pegula
10:15 , Jamie BraidwoodWhile the first set was fairly free-flowing, with Raducanu enjoying herself on the forehand, this second set is an absolute grind for both.
Raducanu faces deuce after missing a backhand down the line to take the game.
*Emma Raducanu 6-3 2-3 Jessica Pegula
10:10 , Jamie BraidwoodDespite a stunning knifed backhand winner from Raducanu, Pegula emerges from a tough service game with a big hold - saving two break points and getting through a long deuce game to take the lead in the second set.
Emma Raducanu 6-3 2-2 Jessica Pegula
10:05 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula is usually calm and composed on the court but lets her frustration out as she puts a backhand into the net to bring up two break points, bouncing her racket in disgust.
Pegula then saves both break points, as she catches Raducanu out with a dipping backhand as she came into the net.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-3 2-2 Jessica Pegula*
10:03 , Jamie BraidwoodHow big could this be? From 30-0 down, Pegula turns it around to get the break straight back! The American won another entertaining point with an impressive hustle at the net, then struck at the first opportunity. A momentum swing?
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 6-3 2-1 Jessica Pegula
09:55 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu scorches a forehand winner down the line to get to 0-30 on the Pegula serve, then gets a look at break point as Pegula nets.
Pegula is an inch away from double-faulting. But Raducanu gets the break as Pegula goes long on the forehand!
She is flying.
Emma Raducanu 6-3 1-1 Jessica Pegula*
09:51 , Jamie BraidwoodUp 40-15, Raducanu leaves a couple of balls short and Pegula gobbles them up to get to deuce.
Raducanu then wins an outstanding point as both players pushed each other to their limits! Raducanu worked Pegula from side to side then finished it with the forehand winner!
Pegula nets and that’s an excellent hold.
FIRST SET! *Emma Raducanu 6-3 Jessica Pegula
09:41 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu guides the backhand winner past Pegula to bring up set point.
This has been a ferocious set of forehand hitting from Raducanu, and she finishes it off in fitting fashion with a forehand winner from inside the baseline!
Wonderful from Raducanu so far.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 5-3 Jessica Pegula
09:37 , Jamie BraidwoodAwesome from Raducanu! Pegula opens the door as she messes up a drop-shot at the net. But on the break point Raducanu is relentless and strikes on the running angled forehand crosscourt, blasting the ball past Pegula. She gets the break straight back.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 4-3 Jessica Pegula*
09:33 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula finally converts on her fifth break point to get this opening set back on serve. The American got a slice of fortune when her forehand clipped the net-cord but is rewarded for her aggressive hitting. Raducanu floats long.
*Emma Raducanu 4-2 Jessica Pegula
09:27 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu is striking her forehand return confidently and works herself to another break point.
It forces Pegula to dig deep and the American manages to respond. She finds the backhand pass to keep in touch.
Emma Raducanu 4-1 Jessica Pegula*
09:22 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu is threatening to run away with this opening set. A wonderful volley from the British No 1 sets her up to a confident hold.
*Emma Raducanu 3-1 Jessica Pegula
09:18 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu holds off another break point from Pegula to continue her excellent start. She’s managing to mix up her play and win the big points.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 2-0 Jessica Pegula
09:09 , Jamie BraidwoodWell this has turned into a fine start for Raducanu. She dials up the pressure on the return and Pegula double-faults on 0-30.
Raducanu takes the break from there!
Emma Raducanu 1-0 Jessica Pegula*
09:05 , Jamie BraidwoodGreat hold from Raducanu. She looked to be overpowered by Pegula but found an escape.
*Emma Raducanu 0-0 Jessica Pegula
09:04 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula putting early pressure on Raducanu but but she saves break point in the opening game with a wonderful flicked forehand pass!
Deuce.
*Emma Raducanu v Jessica Pegula
09:01 , Jamie BraidwoodRaducanu will serve to get us started in Beijing.
*Denotes next server
Emma Raducanu claims first victory in China to ease into third round
08:52 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu claimed a first victory in China with a straight-sets success against Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in Beijing.
As the 30th seed, Raducanu received a bye in the first round of the China Open but she looked sharp from the start in a high-quality 6-3 6-3 victory.
Raducanu had faced Bucsa twice before this season – losing narrowly in Singapore and then winning comfortably on the grass at Queen’s Club – and there was little to choose between them in a compelling first set.
Emma Raducanu claims first victory in China to ease into third round
Emma Raducanu's run of defeats against top-10 opponents
08:50 , Jamie BraidwoodSince beating Emma Navarro in the Miami Open in March, Raducanu has lost eight matches in a row against players in the top-10.
That includes her quarter-final defeat to Pegula in Miami, as well as defeats to Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova, among others.
Emma Raducanu v Jessica Pegula head-to-head
08:44 , Jamie BraidwoodPegula leads the head-to-head against Raducanu with two wins to one, including their last meeting at the Miami Open in March.
Pegula won in three sets in their quarter-final clash, while’s Raducanu’s win against her came on home soil and on grass at Eastbourne in 2024.
Emma Raducanu v Jessica Pegula
08:41 , Jamie BraidwoodThe players should be on court shortly after an abrupt ending to the previous match. Iga Swiatek advanced after Camila Osorio retired after losing the first set 6-0.
Good morning
08:39 , Jamie BraidwoodEmma Raducanu takes on Jessica Pegula at the China Open as the British No 1 faces her latest test against a top-10 opponent.
Raducanu is bidding to reach the last-16 in Beijing after an opening win over Cristina Bucsa, in what would be a huge boost to the 22-year-old’s ranking.
Raducanu has set her sights on improving her ranking to get a seeded spot at the Australian Open in January but lost out to Barbora Krejcikova in Seoul earlier this month
Raducanu has not beaten a top-10 opponent since March but has secured a victory over Pegula, the fifth seed and US Open semi-finalist.
That came on the grass in Eastbourne in 2024, but Pegula won their last meeting at the Miami Open earlier this season.
