Lexus Eastbourne Open 2025: Emma Raducanu & Jodie Burrage lose three-set battles in second round
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It was a tough day for the Brits on Centre Court as Emma Raducanu and Jodie Burrage exited the second round of the Lexus Eastbourne Open in final set tie-breaks.
British No.1 Raducanu prevented Australian Maya Joint from serving out the match three times but eventually lost a two-and-a-half-hour battle 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4).
That followed Burrage’s clash with reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova with the Brit missing three match points before losing out 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3).
Speaking after her second round exit, Raducanu said, “I think Maya played a really good match, it was obviously very long. Credit to her she really stepped up in a lot of big moments there. I’m routing for her, hopefully she can go all the way.
“I did fight back well but I did put myself in that situation to start, which wasn’t necessarily great, but I did dig it out in that third set. In terms of getting some live situations of break points and coming back grows the bank of experience and helps keep the match sharpness ahead of next week.”
Former quarter-finalist Raducanu looked to be on top after winning an opening set that saw five breaks of serve between them.
However, the 23-year-old wasn’t able to kick on due to a rather one-sided set and a half from world No.51 Joint – forcing Raducanu into more and more mistakes thanks to her impressive defensive skills on the grass.
The Australian held a 5-2 and a double break lead in the deciding set, which seemed to kick Raducanu back into gear and the Brit managed to claw her way towards a deciding set tie-break.
On a crucial point at 4-4, Raducanu missed a drop shot to give Joint a mini break and this time around the 19-year-old managed to serve it out – finishing with an ace.
Krejcikova has now saved five match points in two days against British players to book her place in the second round.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the British star, who came within inches of her second top 20 win of her career after her victory over then world No.4 Paula Badosa at Eastbourne three years ago.
“I’m very happy with the win today,” Krejcikova said. “It was another tough match. Brits know how to play on grass so it’s always difficult to play against them, also with the crowd it’s tough. I’m happy I’m through and hopefully in the next round I’m not up against a British player.”
Two-time Grand Slam champion Krejcikova looked like she had the match under control after a break at 4-4 in the first set to take the initial lead before moving 3-1 up in the second.
However, Krejcikova started to show signs that she was struggling with an issue on her right leg and had to ice it during each change of ends.
The Briton broke back and then had a slightly strange moment just two games later where Krejcikova’s ball seemed to pass through the net. The Czech star conceded the point which ultimately led to a second break and with it, the set.
In a nail-biting decider it seemed to be all wrapped up as Burrage took a 0-40 lead on Krejickova’s serve at 6-5, but some nervy shots from the Brit resulted in a tie-break where the second seed ran away with it.
Should her leg hold up, Krejcikova will play France’s Varvara Gracheva, who knocked out eighth seed Rebecca Sramkova. The Czech star has struggled with injuries this year and will be hoping it’s nothing too serious.
“Coming off injuries is difficult,” she added. “I was going through a really difficult moment at the beginning of this year but I’m super happy that I’m here and that I can enjoy the matches. Hopefully I can keep finding the level that I know I can do.”
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