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Emma Raducanu did her finest to maintain a constructive spirit after a heartbreaking Billie Jean King Cup Finals exit because the 2021 US Open champion was happy that she was in a position to decide up a collection of wins forward of the 2025 season.
On Tuesday, the British tennis star noticed off Slovakia’s Viktorija Hruncakova 6-4 6-4 to place her nation up early of their semifinal tie in Malaga. For the previous world No. 10, it was her third consecutive straight-set win on the BJK Cup Finals, having beforehand additionally dealt with Jule Niemeier and Rebecca Marino in straight units.
For the reason that British facet had been thought of the favorites to beat Slovakia, Raducanu’s opening win completely put Nice Britain in pole place. However then, Katie Boulter received upset by Rebecca Sramkova and Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson fell quick to Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova.
For Raducanu, it was actually disappointing that her staff did not capitalize on her nice kind. However a minimum of, she could possibly be pleased with how she performed.
“I believe I had some good performances on the courtroom this week. I performed three matches, which is nice for me. I haven’t performed shortly so I believe with the ability to rating some extent and get on the board was useful. I believe the positives to take are, bodily, I held up fairly effectively. It didn’t take me too lengthy to step again into that match sharpness,” the 22-year-old stated.
How Boulter reacted to the defeat?
For the reason that world No. 24 began her match towards Sramkova by routinely successful the primary set with a 6-2 scoreline, it seemed like Nice Britain would dismantle Slovakia and fairly simply progress into the ultimate.
However then, Boulter twice fell down by a break within the second set. Whereas she twice managed to get the break again, she misplaced her serve once more within the tenth sport – the sport through which she was serving to remain within the second set – and the Slovak managed to pressure a decider.
Within the third set, the Briton was additionally down by a break earlier than recovering. Then similar to it occurred within the second set, Sramkova went 5-4 earlier than breaking Boulter to seal the set and full her comeback win.
The 28-year-old – who received two WTA titles this yr and achieved a career-high rating of No. 23 on this planet – refused to be damaging about how Nice Britain’s run ended.
“Clearly it’s going to be actually vital for me to take a second for myself, bear in mind what I’ve really finished this yr. I’ve received two titles behind me. I’m at a career-high rating. This week has additionally been nice for me. I’ve had some actually good wins. I actually need to use that subsequent yr, and I actually really feel like I can push on,” Boulter stated.
“But it surely’s going to be extraordinarily vital for me to take a second proper now and have a number of days to myself and decide myself again up. It’s an extended season. I’m somewhat emotionally drained, however I’ve given every part I presumably may for this nation, and I’m pleased with that. That’s all I can ask of myself.”
British captain Anne Keothavong was additionally constructive, saying that they had a promising staff that would return stronger sooner or later.
“We’ve received a improbable staff and we do must discover a method to decide ourselves up; keep perspective, most of all,” Keothavong stated.
Raducanu had a warning for her competitors
The 22-year-old possibly did not get to conclude her 2024 season together with her first Billie Jean King Cup title however she did it with three consecutive straight-set wins. And after showing in simply 13 WTA tournaments this yr however nonetheless doing a little notable, the 2021 US Open winner warned her competitors to know that she will probably be aiming for even larger issues in 2025.
“Yeah, I believe I began the yr off fairly effectively for the primary half, you recognize as much as Wimbledon. Then I struggled somewhat bit extra with my physique I believe bodily. Wasn’t in a position to play the total calendar and keep on courtroom as a lot as I might have favored. However my evaluation is, you, I believe typically I would like reminding, I am high 60 on this planet and I’ve performed lower than 15 occasions, which is fairly unparalleled, in a method. I’ve to pat myself on the again for that. I do know I am a harmful participant. I do know nobody desires to drag my names within the draw. I take pleasure in that, and I am trying ahead to hopefully staying on courtroom longer subsequent yr,” Raducanu stated.
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