Emma Raducanu reflects on 'meaningful' victory over Jessica Pegula
- Emma Raducanu hails her comeback victory over Jessica Pegula as one of her most 'meaningful' wins.
- The British professional tennis player saved a match point during her first win over a world top-10 player.
- Raducanu expressed her satisfaction with the hard-fought victory at the Eastbourne quarter-finals.
In a thrilling match at the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, Emma Raducanu secured a remarkable comeback victory against world No 5 Jessica Pegula, marking her first-ever win against a top-10 player. Raducanu fought back from deficits, including recovering from 3-0 down in a tie-break, to level the match and eventually dominate the deciding set, breaking Pegula twice to move 5-2 ahead. Despite facing challenges in serving out for the match, Raducanu's perseverance paid off as she completed a stunning fightback to secure her spot in the quarter-finals. Raducanu expressed her gratitude to her supporters for helping her through tough moments in the match, acknowledging the difficulty of playing against an in-form opponent like Pegula. The 21-year-old highlighted the significance of this win, considering it one of her most meaningful victories due to the challenging circumstances she overcame on the court. Raducanu's success adds to her recent achievements, following a notable first-round win over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens. Meanwhile, Katie Boulter also showcased her prowess on the grass courts by defeating 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in a hard-fought match. Boulter's victory reflected her continued progress in the tournament, building on her previous successes, including winning a WTA Tour title in Nottingham last year. The 27-year-old emphasized the positive impact of her training and preparation on her performance, underscoring the strong showing of British players on the grass surface. Raducanu's triumph not only marked a personal milestone but also contributed to a historic moment for British women's tennis, with her qualification for the quarter-finals alongside Boulter. Their impressive performances at Eastbourne have garnered attention and praise, showcasing the talent and determination of British female players on the international stage. The players' resilience and skill have been on full display, setting the stage for further exciting matches and potential successes in the tournament.