Emma Raducanu ousted lucky loser Louisa Chirico in her Washington opener and afterward said it was nice to start her summer on hard courts with a win. Raducanu, who is making her Washington debut this week, saw off Chirico 6-4 6-2 to progress into the last-16 at the tournament.
“Definitely feels really good to get a win here in DC,” Raducanu said after kicking off her Washington debut with a victory, per the WTA website. “And after not playing for quite a bit after Wimbledon or many matches at all this year, I think it’s a really nice feeling just to get on the board.
I think playing any first round is always pretty challenging. Then when you’re not necessarily that match-sharp, small things you don’t necessarily get right. It’s just important to stay calm.”
Rasucanu closed out Chirico in straight sets
Raducanu got off to a good start, breaking Chirico in the opening game of the match.
In the third game, Raducanu had a chance to go up by a double break, but she missed out on a break point. After avoiding going down by a double break, Chirico broke back Raducanu in the sixth game. However, Raducanu was able to keep her focus as she broke Chirico again in the ninth game, before serving out for the first set in the following game.
After winning the first set, Raducanu missed out on a break point in the first game of the second set, but also saved a break point on her serve in the second game. Raducanu maybe didn’t break Chirico in the opening game of the second set, but she claimed back-to-back breaks in the fifth and seventh games to win games in a row and complete a straight-set victory.
In the last-16, Raducanu plays Camila Osorio. On Tuesday, Osorio defeated home favorite Sofia Kenin. Raducanu and Osorio will be going head-to-head for the first time in their respective careers when they meet in Washington.
