Raducanu Reach’s Eastbourne Quarter-Finals

Britain’s Emma Raducanu saved a match point as she knocked out world number five Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter-finals at Eastbourne.

The 21-year-old wildcard had never won against a top-10 opponent before.

She rallied from a set down against Pegula and saved a match point in the second set tie-break before battling to a remarkable 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 victory.

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“I’m pretty drained right now,” said Raducanu.

Raducanu said she had some “tough circumstances” to handle overnight before the match, but did not elaborate on what they were.

Asked about scribbling ‘new start’ on a TV camera after her victory, she said: “I would say it’s more of just like a fresh start in mentality, a fresh start just all across the board.

“I’d say I’m not turning back, not looking back. I think everything has happened for a reason, and I think I’m just playing a lot more free.”

Raducanu’s win continued an impressive day for British women’s tennis on England’s south coast as Katie Boulter moved past former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko with a confident 6-4 7-5 victory.

Harriet Dart also booked her place in the last eight, beating Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open champion, 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-0.

It is the first time since 1978 there have been three British women in the quarter-finals at Eastbourne.

BBC