𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Emma Raducanu’s attempt at a miraculous recovery against Maya Joint fell just short as she exited the Eastbourne Open.

The British No.1 looked dead and buried in her second-round battle with the Australian, trailing 5-2 in the deciding set.

But she produced an inspired spell, breaking Joint three times when she was serving for the match, to set up a tie break.

Emma Raducanu only won six of the 14 break points she created today.

That means there is plenty of scope for improvement ahead of Wimbledon next week but she shouldn’t be too hard on herself.

Joint was a superb opponent and one of the rising stars in the women’s game.

Raducanu has also been worried about a back issue and looked as though she didn’t want to risk a reoccurance. Her fitness should be better at SW19 where she can go all out.

“Today was really tough, there were a lot of ups and downs and momentum switches. I was really glad I could tough it out in the end. The atmosphere was amazing.

“I definitely remember that match [playing Raducanu in Rome], it was a fun match so I was looking forward to today.

“I tried to hit the lines, it doesn’t always work. I’m an aggressive player, I like to use my backhand and I’m trying to learn to play on all courts.”

Raducanu goes long with a forehand from the baseline and now there’s match points.

She only needs one! An ace down the centre line gets her over the line but that was some fightback from Emma Raducanu!

No! A forehand from Raducanu goes long this time and the tie break is still on serve.

Until it isn’t! Raducanu looks for the cross court drop shot. She hits it well but clips the tape and the ball drops back onto her side of court!

No worries from Joint who serves wide then unloads on a driving forehand to draw level at 3-3.

Raducanu gets the mini break!

Joint whips a forehand too long. Can Raducanu capitalise?

Two serves for Raducanu now.

She drops to second serve with her first attempt and manages to get a backhand over the net. Joint pushes the forehand into the net.

Raducanu then forces another error as Joint punches a forehand long!

This match could go either way. First blood in the tie break goes to Raducanu and the crowd are fully backing her now.

From Maya Joint’s serve, Raducanu can’t return a wide serve and then drills a backhand too wide.

Maya Joint has had two previous attempts to close out this match.

She failed both times but takes the first point in this game.

A low forehand gives Raducanu the next point though and the Australian then lifts a shot from the baseline too long.

Raducanu leads 15-30 and moves further ahead as Maya Joint smokes a backhand long.

Two break points for Raducanu. She takes the first one!

Raducanu breaks and this match is going to a tie breaker!

Raducanu has won three games in a row and has the chance to move ahead from her own serve.

She finds the net in the first rally and that’s a bit of reprieve for Maya Joint.

Joint has shaken off the cobwebs and is being encouraged to go after it. That advice helps her win the first couple of points from Raducanu’s serve.

The Brit then pushes a forehand into the net and offers up three break points.

She saves the first with a fabulous serve… she can’t save the second!