Google News From Rising Star to Champion: Emma Raducanu's Remarkable Journey to Second Pro Title
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 16452
Emma Raducanu will miss a few months, withdrawing from Roland Garros and Wimbledon! The young gun underwent surgeries on both wrists and one of her ankles, hoping for a steady recovery and a fresh start. While we wait to see the 2021 US Open champion in action again, let's examine her second professional title in October 2018 in Antalya.
Emma turned 15 in November 2017 and made a great run at the start of 2018. The young gun won no less than four back-to-back junior titles at the beginning of the year before playing in the Wimbledon and the US Open quarter-final.
Emma's pro career was up and running, too, with the Briton winning the $15,000 Tiberias event in Israel from her second main draw appearance! Five months later, Raducanu added another trophy to her cabinet after an impressive run at the $15,000 Antalya event.
The youngster won five matches in straight sets for her second professional title, reaching the verge of the top-700. Raducanu was a dominant figure on the outdoor courts in Turkey, dropping 27 games and proving her immense talent against three older rivals and two other teenagers.
Emma opened her campaign against the 17-year-old qualifier Arina Solomatina, scoring a 6-1, 6-3 win in an hour and 11 minutes. The Russian served under 50% and got broken five times from the 11 chances Raducanu created. Emma lost serve once and controlled the pace for a winning start.
The Briton secured the opening four games and delivered a crucial break at 4-3 in set number two that carried her home. The 16-year-old Polina Gubina was not an obstacle for Emma, too, with Raducanu prevailing 6-3, 6-4 in just under two hours.
Gubina converted three break points from ten opportunities. However, that was not enough at least for a set, getting broken six times from nine chances offered to Emma and wasting a 3-0 lead in the second set to send the Briton into the last eight.
Emma Raducanu claimed her second professional title in Antalya in 2018.
The 2nd seed Georgia Andreea Craciun saw signs on the walls after just 70 minutes, as Raducanu claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win to book a place in the semi-final.
The youngster lost just ten points on serve, never facing a break point and keeping the pressure on her rival constantly. Raducanu clinched the opener with a single break in game eight and rattled off five straight games from 1-2 in the second set to march over the top and advance into the last four.
The 6th seed Alena Fomina stood between Emma and the title match, and the Briton produced another rock-solid performance. She beat the Russian 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 35 minutes for her second pro final at 15. Raducanu suffered one break of serve and dominated the return.
Emma broke Alena five times and controlled the scoreboard all the time except for a bit slower start of set number two. Raducanu met the 4th seed Johana Markova in the title clash and delivered a 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 28 minutes for her second pro title.
Emma lost serve once and converted four out of six break points to lift the trophy in style. Raducanu clinched a tight opening set with a break in game five, serving well and gaining a boost. The Briton dominated set number two to emerge at the top and celebrate his second professional title at 15.
