Emma Raducanu has admitted that she felt like she ‘died three times’ after overcoming the pain barrier to book a place in the Citi Open quarter-final. Raducanu defeated Colombian star Camilia Osorio 7-6, 7-6 on Thursday, but it was not all plain sailing for the US Open champion.
Throughout 2022 the British teenager has been forced to battle against injury problems that have undoubtedly hampered her progress throughout the season. And her latest win proved no different.
In the battling clash, Raducanu received medical treatment partway through for blisters on her racquet hand - an injury that ultimately cost her at this year’s Australian Open.
The 19-year-old dug deep though, and ensured there was not a repeat this time around as she went on to win the match in straight sets. Speaking afterwards, she said: “I think I died about three times in that match and I came back - honestly, I don't know how. Camila is such a battler. I was working so hard for every single point.
“When she comes back, the dynamic of the match changes a bit, so I am just really pleased to have got through that one.” Addressing her medical timeout, Raducanu went on: “At the beginning of the match I was alright, but then throughout the match my skin was just ripping off - it was pretty raw and open.”
The 19-year-old will now prepare herself for just her second quarter-final match of 2022, where she will take on Russia ’s Ludmilla Samsonova for a place in the final four. Previewing the clash she said: “She is a big ball striker and has the ability to take the game out of your hands, so for me it is just about recovery as best as I can for tomorrow.
“Both of us are going to be feeling it, and it is a matter of who is going to stay tough.” Her improvement in form comes at the perfect time for the British teenage star, as she continues to prepare for her US Open defence at Flushing Meadows which kicks off in just less than a month.
