Krycikova saves three game points to stun Raducanu in Seoul – tennis now

Barbora Krekikova He submitted another act of rescue on Thursday in Seoul, gathering the past Emma Raducanu 4-6, 7-6 (10), 6-1 in a two-hour and 52-minute battle to reach the quarter-finals.

Czecheke, who famously saved eight points of match points in her fourth round victory over Townsend in this year’s US Open, found herself staring at the elimination once again. Raducanu held a match point in the 5-3 service in the second set, but Krycikova returned the tide with fearless blows, breaking back and forcing a tie.

At the switch, the big champion twice fought two more points with bold, aggressive strokes before finally converting her fourth point to extend the competition. From there, it was all Krekikova: she traveled the decision maker, falling just one game to close this meeting for the first time with the 2021 Open champion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWH0RYR15WO

It was another inspirational attack by Czecheke. After breaking down five times in the first and a half groups, Krycikova was locked up in the service and never delivered it again. She ended up with 48 winners in Raducanu, and continues to face world No.2 IgA Swiatek in the last eight.

Swiatek had no such drama in her Thursday’s match, navigating Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-2 in the past. Poli holds a 3-2 life advantage over Krekikova, including a three-set win at their latest meeting in the 2024 WTA final.

Both Swiatek and Krycikova are making their debuts in Seoul this week. For Swiatte, she has a personal connection to the city: her father, Thomasz, ran in the 1988 Seoul Olympics with rowing.

Korea Open takes place at the Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul.

“I am happy to explore this city – (my father has) talking about being here as a great adventure,” she said in court after her victory. “I play another sport, but we are still in the Olympic place and am surprised by the way the whole city is still appreciating the Olympic tradition.”