Barbora Krejcikova delivered another escape act on Thursday in Seoul, rallying past Emma Raducanu 4-6, 7-6(10), 6-1 in a gripping two-hour and 52-minute battle to reach the quarterfinals.
The Czech, who famously saved eight match points in her fourth-round win over Taylor Townsend at this year’s US Open, found herself staring down elimination once again. Raducanu held a match point on serve at 5-3 in the second set, but Krejcikova turned the tide with fearless hitting, breaking back and forcing a tiebreak.
In the breaker, the two-time major champion fought off two more match points with bold, aggressive strokes before finally converting her fourth set point to extend the contest. From there, it was all Krejcikova: she raced through the decider, dropping just one game to close out this first-time meeting with the 2021 US Open champion.
It was yet another inspiring fightback from the Czech. After being broken five times across the first sets and a half, Krejcikova locked down on serve and never surrendered it again. She finished with 48 winners to Raducanu’s 10, and moves on to face World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the last eight.
Swiatek had no such drama in her Thursday match, cruising past Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-2. The Pole holds a 3-2 lifetime edge over Krejcikova, including a three-set win in their most recent meeting at the 2024 WTA Finals.
Both Swiatek and Krejcikova are making their Seoul debuts this week. For Swiatek, there’s a personal connection to the city: her father, Tomasz, competed at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in rowing.
The Korea Open takes place at the Olympic Park Tennis Center in Seoul.
“I’m happy to explore this city – [my dad has] been talking about being here as a great adventure,” she said on court after her win. “I play a different sport, but still we’re at the Olympic venue and I’m surprised by how the whole city is still appreciating the Olympic tradition.”
Seoul Quarterfinals
[1] Swiatek vs. Krejcikova
[3] Tauson vs. Joint
Lamens vs. Siniakova
Seidel vs. [2] Alexandrova
