Emma Raducanu Triumphs Over Elise Mertens at Washington Open Despite Jet Lag

Emma Raducanu showcased her resilience by overcoming jet lag to secure a hard-fought victory against Elise Mertens in the opening round of the Washington Open. The 21-year-old British No. 3 triumphed in a three-set match, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 against the eighth-seeded Belgian. The match concluded late, just after 11 PM local time, highlighting the challenges Raducanu faced after her recent travel to the United States. Raducanu began the match strongly, winning five consecutive games to take the first set convincingly. However, she acknowledged the impact of her travel fatigue, stating, “It’s not easy playing at 11:30.” Despite her initial dominance, she lost focus in the second set, allowing Mertens to capitalize on her errors and level the match after breaking serve at a crucial moment. In the final set, Raducanu initially broke Mertens’ serve and took a 3-1 lead, but the Belgian fought back, breaking Raducanu and leveling the score at 3-3. The match became tense as both players faced break points, with Raducanu saving five before breaking Mertens again. Although Mertens managed to delay the inevitable by breaking back, Raducanu ultimately sealed her victory with a decisive backhand volley, benefiting from Mertens’s 11th double fault. This win marks a significant step for Raducanu as she continues to navigate the challenges of professional tennis while battling fatigue and pressure on the court.