Emma Raducanu secured one of the most “meaningful” wins of her career over world number five Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter-finals of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne
Raducanu followed up her stunning first-round win over fellow former US Open champion Sloane Stephens by digging deep to battle past American Pegula 4-6 7-6 (6) 7-5 after almost three hours in sweltering conditions. The American, who won the Berlin WTA title last week, had looked in control early on following two breaks as she opened up a 4-1 lead. Raducanu, though, rallied to pull back level at 4-4 only to then see her serve falter again as Pegula closed out the first set.
The match appeared to be running away from Raducanu – who missed the entire grass-court season last year due to wrist and ankle surgery – after she soon trailed 2-0 in the second set having again lost her opening service game. However, after finding her range from the back of the court and lifted by the home crowd, it was Pegula who started to wilt in the Eastbourne sun as Raducanu edged in front 4-3. Raducanu again dug deep to recover from 3-0 down in the tie-break to level the match as Pegula lashed another return into the net.
Remarkably, it was the first time in her career Raducanu had taken a set from a top-10 player and the 21-year-old built on the momentum into the deciding set as she broke twice to move 5-2 ahead. Pegula, though, refused to go quietly and forced a break back in the next game when Raducanu lashed a return wide.
After Pegula held, Raducanu had the chance to serve out for the match for a second time but the American went on to square things up again. Raducanu came to the net to wrap up another break and move 6-5 ahead, which left her again serving for the match. Pegula then saw three break point chances missed as Raducanu rallied from 0-40 before completing a remarkable fightback. Relive all the action from Eastbourne below:
Emma Raducanu hails victory over Jessica Pegula after ‘going through some stuff’
“I’m pretty drained right now, but I just want to say thanks to everyone again for getting me through some really difficult moments in that match,” Raducanu said after the victory.
“It’s incredibly difficult when you’re playing someone who’s so in-form like Jessica. I mean she came off the back of a great run in Berlin and no doubt she’s feeling confident on the grass.”
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 18:17
Emma Raducanu secures first-ever win against a top 10 player, beating Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne
Raducanu on there being three British women in the quarter-finals for the first time in 40 years: “I think it’s really good. We all see each other progressing into the next round and no one wants to be left behind.
“But that’s the way it should be, we should be pushing each other to take that next step. It’s definitely the case right now in the men’s and women’s. I mean we’re all doing really well especially on the grass.
“I think we all come alive on this surface, so I’m very pleased and it’s just a testament to how well we’ve been training and how hard we’ve been putting work in. I think we’re all doing a pretty good job.”
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:55
Emma Raducanu secures first-ever win against a top 10 player, beating Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne
Raducanu: “I mean I’m pretty drained right now, but I just want to say thanks to everyone again for getting me through some really difficult moments in that match.
“It’s incredibly difficult when you’re playing someone who’s so in-form like Jessica. I mean she came off the back of a great run in Berlin and no doubt she’s feeling confident on the grass.
“But I’m really pleased with how I managed to navigate against some really tough situations and I didn’t think to be honest I’d be able to get myself out of it, so I would say this match is one of the more meaningful ones to me.
“I think I’ve been going through some stuff and to come through it has been really nice.”
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:49
Emma Raducanu 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 7-5 Jessica Pegula – GAME, SET, MATCH RADUCANU
It’s deuce. Raducanu is two points away, but she double faults and Pegula has another break point.
Raducanu responds well with a strong serve down the middle. And follows it up with another to set up match point!
She takes it! Pegula hits wide and for the first time in her career Raducanu has beaten someone in the top 10!
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:45
Emma Raducanu 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 6-5 Jessica Pegula
Raducanu seems to have problems when she holds the crucial advantage, and Pegula attacks the second serve with a strong return to win the point.
Pegula pulls out another winner, this time taking the advantage when Raducanu made the decision to come to the net.
Raducanu thinks she has won a point, it’s called in, but Pegula has challenged and rightly so, the ball has gone out.
Pegula has three break points again.
Raducanu saves the first one after what could have been the longest rally of the match! And she saves another when Pegula overhits a ball from the net.
Raducanu pulls out a brilliant wide serve that Pegula cannot return in the court to take the game to deuce!
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:42
Emma Raducanu 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 6-5 Jessica Pegula
Raducanu has her third chance to serve out for the match – can it be third time lucky?
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:37
Emma Raducanu 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 6-5 Jessica Pegula* – BREAK
Pegula is on serve, Raducanu’s advantage has gone, and it’s quickly 15-15 on the American’s serve.
Raducanu attacks the second serve and comes out on top in another thumping baseline exchange to push ahead again.
And another bit of wonderful improvised tennis, including a clever sliced backhand to pull Pegula wide and open up the court gives her two break points.
The first one is saved when Raducanu hits the net, but the crowd is all getting behind her as she has one more.
She takes it! Raducanu comes to the net at the right time to play a winning drop shot.
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:36
Emma Raducanu* 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 5-5 Jessica Pegula – BREAK
Raducanu misses a drop shot down the line, the ball just drifts into the net, and Pegula takes the first point on the British player’s serve.
Pegula plays another drop shot and Raducanu slips! She fell outside the baseline, and the crowd is trying to get behind the home favourite here.
Raducanu double faults and Pegula has three break points. This is a big twist from everything that had happened so far in the third set.
She misses another and Pegula breaks to love!
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:32
Emma Raducanu 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 5-4 Jessica Pegula*
Raducanu has a second chance to serve for the match. What can she do with it?
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:29
Emma Raducanu 4-6 6-6 (7-6) 5-4 Jessica Pegula*
Raducanu returns and follows it up with a winning volley on the first point of Pegula’s serve. But a serve into the body is too much for the Briton and she cannot return.
Another strong first serve and Pegula takes a 30-15 lead, and she continues to strike well to make it 40-15.
A super return from Raducanu takes it to 40-30, but Pegula closes out the game with an ace!
Sonia Twigg26 June 2024 17:27