Emma Raducanu’s mum watches as she exposes opponent’s weaknesses
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One might glance at the scoreline of Emma Raducanu’s 6-3, 6-3 victory over Cristina Bucșa, the world No 67, and put it down as a routine win over a relatively low-profile opponent.
Yet the experience of watching this second-round match from the China Open was very different, because Raducanu was pushed from side to side by Bucșa’s thunderous baseline game. She had to fend off six break points in the opening set, and regularly saw balls flying past her at high speed.
The way that Raducanu handled Bucșa’s assault – which included 28 clean winners – was hugely impressive. She leaned heavily on her serve, landing six aces, and waited for her moments to attack. These generally came on Bucșa’s second serve, which was the one glaring weakness on show.
As soon as Bucșa missed her first serve, you could almost see her shoulders slump. The slower second delivery was a sitting duck for Raducanu’s scorching returns, which regularly fizzed through the court and landed just a foot or two inside the baseline. Of 18 points played on Bucșa’s second serve, Raducanu won 15 of them.
It was a high-class performance, and felt all the more encouraging because Raducanu’s last match had seen her suffer such a soul-destroying loss to Barbora Krejcikova at the Korean Open. She had held three match points in that one before Krejcikova performed one of her patented escape acts.
Indeed, Raducanu’s whole week in Seoul had been unusual. She suffered a tearful moment in her opening match against Jaqueline Cristian before the bitter pill of that reversal of fortune against Krejcikova.
She referred briefly to the challenges of that quick turnaround in her on-court interview after the Bucșa match, saying: “This is my first time here in China, so very happy to have got through it, and after a tough one last week, to come back and bounce back.”
In Beijing, Raducanu was accompanied not only by her new coach Francis Roig but by her mother Renee. She looked thoroughly comfortable throughout this 97-minute win, which will improve her chances of securing a seeding at January’s Australian Open.
There was plenty to admire, from Raducanu’s fleet-footed movement to the way she committed to her serves and returns. She generally came off second best once an extended rally had started, such was Bucșa’s firepower from the baseline, but she snatched so many short points that she usually seemed in control.
Roig has clearly been working on those key strokes with her, and her ball-speeds look to have climbed as a result. She also continues to use her slice with more purpose, once coming in to the net behind a lethal little chop which commentator Colin Fleming suggested felt like a throwback to 1992 and the era of the serve-volleyers.
Earlier in Beijing, Raducanu’s childhood contemporary and rival Sonay Kartal had produced a eye–catching performance of her own to defeat 14th seed Daria Kasatkina for the loss of just three games: 6-3, 6-0.
In slow indoor conditions, Kartal turned this match into a physical battle, and looked far stronger than Kasatkina – a deft but underpowered player whose tennis IQ cannot always compensate for her lack of stature.
Kartal is also small by the standards of the women’s game, standing just 5ft 4in according to her tour biography. But she is a relentless trainer, spending long hours in the gym. This gives her the confidence to play high-percentage tennis and extend rallies until her opponents buckle.
It also looks as though Kartal has benefited from her recent experience at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenhzen, where she defeated Japan’s Ena Shibahara before coming up just short against world No 18 Emma Navarro.
After that near-miss just over a week ago, Kartal said: “My level since Wimbledon has not been anywhere near what it needs to be [but] today I felt like my form was much better.”
The other British woman at the China Open, Katie Boulter, had won a tight first-round match against Hailey Baptiste before losing to world No 4 Amanda Anisimova on Friday.
Emma Raducanu to face Jessica Pegula in third round
That’s everything from Raducanu’s match against Cristina Bucsa, she has shown a strong serve and come through a difficult second-round match in Beijing.
Raducanu will take on world number seven Jessica Pegula in the third round of the China Open.
That contest is likely to take place on Monday although the time has not been set yet.
Raducanu says match against Bucsa was “difficult”
Raducanu said after the match: “[It was] super difficult. She was playing amazing. This is my first time here in China so very happy to have got through it and after a tough one last week to come back and bounce back…
“I’m going to do my best, I really want to do well here, I’m half-Chinese so it’s great to come back here.”
Game, set, match Raducanu: Raducanu 6-3, 6-3 Bucsa
Raducanu follows up that impressive hold by winning the first point of this game, but Bucsa is not out of this yet, and instead forces her opponent wide to open up the court before levelling at 15-15 with another winner.
Raducanu stepped into the court to return out wide, pouncing on the second serve, and Bucsa has no answer to the power and angle, 15-30.
Raducanu thought she had a winner, but the ball just clipped the net cord and went out, 30-30.
Yet another game in this match goes to deuce, but Bucsa double faults and Raducanu has match point, and Bucsa hits the ball long. Game, set, match: Raducanu.
It’s her debut at the China Open and in front of her new coach and serving well, Raducanu has set up a third-round meeting with Jessica Pegula.
Raducanu* 6-3 5-3 Bucsa
Raducanu takes the first point with a strong serve, and follows it up to go 30-0 ahead.
Raducanu double faults to give Bucsa a first point of the game to 30-15.
But Bucsa returns long and Raducanu edges 40-15 ahead, and another perfect wide serve seals the game.
Raducanu is just one game away from reaching the third round.
Raducanu 6-3 4-3 Bucsa*
Bucsa is not out of this yet however, and she dictates play by sending Raducanu out wide and following it up with a winner to the other side of the court.
But she makes a mistake, hitting it into the net, 15-15, and Raducanu moves 30-15 ahead after a missed lob from Bucsa.
Raducanu sets up another break point with a stunning cross court return, 30-40, but Bucsa saves it.
Bucsa holds on to this contest and gives herself a chance.
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There was one sublime point in that last game where Raducanu came in to the net behind a lethal carved slice.
She and Roig were working hard on the slice in New York a few weeks ago, even having on-court contests to see who could out-slice the other.
Raducanu* 6-3 4-2 Bucsa
In order to consolidate this lead, Raducanu has to hold here, but after another small mistake at the net it’s 15-15.
But another serve that Bucsa cannot return inside the lines of the court and Raducanu edges 30-15 ahead, and then 40-15.
Raducanu holds with a big serve right on the line down the middle.
Raducanu’s mother courtside along with coach Francisco Roig
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Raducanu’s mother is at courtside with Francis Roig, the coach whose work is helping her develop her game.
We’re definitely seeing an improvement in both first and second serve – even if the last service game was the first one she has lost in this match.
BREAK: Raducanu 6-3 3-2 Bucsa*
Raducanu has the first point of the next game however when Bucsa overhits a forehand. 0-15, and then goes 0-30 up.
Another error from Bucsa, who hits the ball into the net, and Raducanu has two break points. 15-40.
Bucsa saves the first, but Raducanu’s attacking return on the second serves ensures she will regain her advantage.
BREAK: Raducanu* 6-3 2-2 Bucsa
Raducanu comes to the net again, but Bucsa was able to get there in time and move 0-15 up with a passing forehand.
A slightly wild wide backhand from Raducanu and she seems to be on the back foot, 0-30.
Bucsa has been strong from the back of the court and this game is no different as she has three break points.
Raducanu saves the first with one of the biggest forehands of the match across the court, but she cannot save the second and it’s all level in the second set.
Tennis mind games
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The last ten minutes have provided a good illustration of the role of the mind in tennis!
Bucsa completely lost her radar for a few minutes after seeing the first set get away from her, even if she rediscovered it in the third game.
Raducanu has been emboldened, and we’ve seen her come forward to the net on several occasions, further breaking up Bucsa’s rhythm.
The problem is that Raducanu’s volleys remain the weakest part of her game, as we saw on her most recent break point.
Raducanu 6-3 2-1 Bucsa*
Bucsa has not been at quite the level she was in the first set as she has in this one. The unforced error count has crept up while she has not found winners with the same ease.
Although Raducanu misses and hits just long to make it 30-30.
Raducanu has gone on the attack to Bucsa’s serve, and takes the game to deuce with a backhand cross-court winner.
She then goes on to secure another break point by forcing Bucsa out wide then coming to the net to reduce her options.
Bucsa saves that break point, and goes on to claim the advantage with a clever backhand winner down the line.
As Raducanu carves out a second break point, but sends a volley too central and Bucsa can hit a passing winner. Deuce.
In the end, Bucsa manages to hold.
Raducanu* 6-3 2-0 Bucsa
Bucsa sends a winning return out wide to go 0-15 ahead, but with a yell and an approach shot that the Spaniard cannot return it’s level.
Raducanu draws ahead with another approach shot that Bucsa is left with little option but to try and hit another winner, only on this occasion it goes wide. 30-15.
Raducanu goes on to hold to 15.
BREAK: Raducanu 6-3 1-0 Bucsa*
Raducanu has started the second set how she left off the first, taking a 0-30 lead against Bucsa in the opening game.
This is an ideal chance for Raducanu who carves out three break points at 0-40, and she goes on to break to love.
SET: Raducanu* 6-3 Bucsa
Raducanu has the chance to serve out for the opening set, but Bucsa has the first point.
She comes back to level with a big yell, and goes on to 30-15 with another wide ace.
Raducanu follows it up with an ace down the middle to carve out two set points, and only needs one of them, taking the first set.
Bucsa has thrown everything at that, but Raducanu’s serve has been exemplary.
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What a fine, fine set from Raducanu. Bucsa was playing out of her mind from the back! To see off six break points and take the set 6-3 was a superb effort.
A little bit similar to how she stole the first set against Krejcikova in Seoul against the run of play.
That one eventually turned on its head, when Krejcikova started hitting lines with frightening regularity after going down match points. So there’s work still to do.
BREAK: Raducanu 5-3 Bucsa*
Raducanu takes the first point on Bucsa’s serve this time and follows it up with a winner to go 0-30 up.
But Bucsa has not given up at any point, but this is an opportunity for Raducanu who has two break points at 15-40.
Bucsa saves the first with an almost perfect drop shot and then goes on to close out the point with a 15th winner.
Whether she was feeling the pressure or not, Bucsa double faults and that’s the first break of the match.
Raducanu needs to target Bucsa’s movement
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Look out for Raducanu’s target areas.
She needs to break the sideline to expose the one thing that Bucsa is weaker on: the movement.
When she hits hard up and down, it’s not working, partly because the court is too slow.
Raducanu* 4-3 Bucsa
Again Bucsa takes the first point on Raducanu’s serve with a clever deceptive shot down the line.
But another good serve and follow up from Raducanu makes it 15-15.
Bucsa has found a level that Raducanu is struggling to match and she takes advantage, taking the game to 15-40 and carves out two break points.
Raducanu saves the first with a big serve that Bucsa cannot return, and the second with a kick serve that the Spaniard sends into the net. Deuce.
Raducanu has dug herself out of trouble here as she goes on to hold.
Raducanu 3-3 Bucsa*
Raducanu misses two returns and Bucsa eases to a 30-0 lead on her serve.
She is back into the game, although only after a stroke of luck from a net cord bounce that disrupted Bucsa. 15-30.
Another wild unforced error from Bucsa and it’s quickly level at 30-30.
After what has to be the longest rally of the match, Raducanu wins the point to take the game to deuce. Bucsa defended and defended, hitting two lines until she couldn’t any more.
Bucsa then wins the next two points to hold.
Raducanu* 3-2 Bucsa
Bucsa wins the first point in Raducanu’s service game, but she has no answer to another clever wide serve, 15-15.
Raducanu sets up an open forehand winner to take a 40-15 lead, but an 11th winner from Bucsa reduces the deficit, and she wins another one to take the game to deuce.
But Raducanu delivers an awkward serve that Bucsa misjudges and returns long, and after a long baseline exchange, she holds.
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Another gritty hold, but Raducanu is getting dominated off the ground by a woman who is seeing the ball like a watermelon.
I’d be looking to use more elevation and get the ball up above the strike zone because when they’re hitting flat up and down the court there seems to be only one winner.
Raducanu 2-2 Bucsa*
Raducanu makes it 15-15 after a high-spin exchange with lots of dip from the Briton that slows down the pace of the ball. In the end it draws Bucsa into an error.
But Bucsa has been equal to everything that has been thrown at her so far and is hitting so cleanly.
Raducanu misses a backhand slice, it was just slightly to low and into the net. 40-15, and a long forehand and Bucsa holds.
The match has been a high standard
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High standard so far. Bucsa may be ranked No 67 but she’s creamed nine glorious winners in three games.
Give her the slightest hint of a neutral ball and she bangs it away. Raducanu’s serve was slow to get locked in but that was a much better second game.
Raducanu* 2-1 Bucsa
Raducanu starts her second service game off with an ace out wide, and a long forehand from Bucsa makes it 30-0.
Another ace down the middle and Raducanu eases to a 40-0 lead. But she cannot close it out immediately, and Bucsa returns comfortably then seals the point with a backhand winner down the line.
But as Bucsa comes to the net, Raducanu plays a perfect passing shot to hold to 15.
Raducanu 1-1 Bucsa*
Raducanu takes the first points of Bucsa’s first service game, forcing her opponent to hit into the net, 0-15.
Raducanu takes the next one by going on the attack from the outset, she crunches the second serve and goes on to dictate the point.
A double fault makes the score 15-40 and Raducanu has two break points, the first of which is saved by a wide cross-court forehand from Bucsa that just bounced on the tramline.
The second is also saved with a kick serve that Raducanu hits long. Deuce.
Bucsa has hit eight winners in two games and goes on to hold.
Raducanu* 1-0 Bucsa (* denotes server)
Raducanu to serve first and it’s a decently-long rally before Bucsa hits a high forehand into the net.
However, with a 30-0 lead, she double faults, but recovers it with a clever rally that sends Bucsa scampering across the baseline to turn the point in her favour.
But Bucsa pulls one back with a flatter strike and then a drop shot that Raducanu cannot reach, and a stunning attacking backhand down the line takes the game to deuce.
A good sliding serve out wide and with a big fist pump and yell, Raducanu takes the advantage, but it’s level again.
Instead Bucsa’s change down the line is causing problems and she carves out a first break point. Raducanu saves the first, but Bucsa has another after the Briton hits long, again it’s saved by a good serve that the Spaniard hits into the net.
A third break point and again a big first serve from Raducanu allows her to finish it off the next ball, but Bucsa carves out a fourth break point. It’s also saved.
Another big serve and Raducanu has advantage and eventually goes on to hold after a very long game that lasted 12 minutes and included 18 points!
The toss
Cristina Bucsa won the toss and has elected to receive in the first game of the round two match, but before it starts, there will be the warm up.
Emma Raducanu in bid to join Sonay Kartal in third round in China
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As Emma Raducanu prepares to begin her China Open campaign against Cristina Bucsa, Great Britain already has a woman in the third round.
Raducanu’s childhood contemporary Sonay Kartal produced a stunning performance on Saturday to defeat 14th seed Daria Kasatkina for the loss of just three games: 6-3, 6-0.
In slow indoor conditions, Kartal turned this match into a physical battle, and looked far stronger than Kasatkina – a deft but underpowered player whose tennis IQ cannot always compensate for her lack of stature.
Kartal is also small by the standards of the women’s game, standing just 5ft 4in according to her tour biography. But she is a relentless trainer, spending long hours in the gym. This gives her the confidence to play high-percentage tennis and extend rallies until her opponents buckle.
It also looks as though Kartal has benefited from her recent experience at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Shenhzen, where she defeated Japan’s Ena Shibahara before coming up just short against world No 18 Emma Navarro.
After that near-miss just over a week ago, Kartal said “My level since Wimbledon has not been anywhere near what it needs to be [but] today I felt like my form was much better.”
The team environment clearly helped Kartal lift her game, and there must be a question as to whether Raducanu made the right decision by snubbing the BJK Cup in favour of the Korean Open in Seoul.
In that tournament, Raducanu had a tearful moment in her opening-round win over Jaqueline Cristian before seeing three match points go to waste against Barbora Krejcikova a couple of days later.
Now she finds herself in a ticklish position, ranked No 32 and needing to protect that spot – or, ideally, improve it – over the last month of the season if she wants to be seeded at the Australian Open.
The other British woman at the China Open, Katie Boulter, won a tight first-round match against Hailey Baptiste before losing to world No 4 Amanda Anisimova on Friday.
Naomi Osaka beaten by Aliaksandra Sasnovich
In the match before Raducanu, Naomi Osaka was stunned and knocked out by world number 130 Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
It looked like it was going to be straightforward when Osaka established a 6-1 lead in the opener but then the Belarusian came back, winning the next two sets 6-4 and then 6-2 to knock out the former grand slam champion.
How Emma Raducanu turned things around this year… and what must come next
Although Emma Raducanu’s final grand slam of the year ended in a painfully familiar way to the three that preceded it, there is no doubt it has been her best season since 2021.
Unlike the fairy tale of four years ago, her 2025 is not about a single standout moment, but rather a gradual climb and something she has not managed until this point of her professional career: consistency.
After a tear-filled US Open defeat in the first round 12 months ago that saw Raducanu briefly replaced as the British No 2 by Harriet Dart, this year has been a dramatic uplift.
Last year it was all about the standout victories she managed. Beating Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari and Sloane Stephens, but she only made the fourth round at one major, falling before the third in the other two that she entered.
To read the full article, click here.
Emma Raducanu in action in China
Good morning and welcome to the live coverage of Emma Raducanu’s first match in the China Open.
Raducanu’s Asia swing has so far not been a resounding success, when she exited the Korean Open in the second round, despite earning three match points against Barbora Krejcikova.
In the opening round in Seoul, Raducanu had to fight back tears to win, in a tournament that she favoured over the Billie Jean King Cup, where Great Britain were knocked out in the semi-finals by the United States.
The decision was explained as because of Raducanu’s desire to continue to foster and develop a relationship with new coach Francisco Roig, who took the job just three weeks before the US Open.
In the China Open, after receiving a bye in the first round, Raducanu will take on Cristina Bucsa.
The players have met twice before, both times in 2025, with Bucsa winning in three sets in Singapore, and Raducanu winning in two at Queen’s Club.
