Paula Badosa Defeats Emma Raducanu in DC Open Thriller

Emma Raducanu let a final-set lead slip away to Paula Badosa.

Paula Badosa beat Emma Raducanu at the DC Open. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It is not easy for tennis fans to take their eyes off the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. However, hard court season is underway in the United States, and the DC Open has been electrifying.

On Friday night, Paula Badosa battled back from a break down in the final set to defeat Emma Raducanu in a thrilling three-set match: 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. The marathon quarterfinal match lasted almost three hours in the sweltering heat.

Temperatures are rising and @paulabadosa stays hot! 🔥

Badosa secures her spot in the semifinals after defeating Raducanu 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. pic.twitter.com/RQPjyIN5s2

— wta (@WTA) August 2, 2024

Both players are working their way back into form after missing much of 2023 - especially Raducanu, who underwent three surgeries last year. It was their first tour-level match, with their only other meeting coming in 2019 at an ITF Circuit event, which Raducanu won.

After the match, Badosa said of her opponent, "She was playing amazing, honestly. She took me to the limit in all the phases — physically, mentally, tennis-wise. I knew I had to play very aggressive."

Badosa continued, "In the beginning, I was missing a little bit so I had to adjust. She was also making me miss. She's very, very fast. I never played her, so it's the first time I experienced her. I was surprised how smart she is on court, and I like the way she plays."

Paula Badosa into her first SF in 19 months

4-6 7-5 6-4 vs Emma Raducanu

Both had a strong grass season & missed a lot of 2023z.

Felt like a 50/50 match with Paula managing her nerves better in the end.

Clean fast paced ball striking.
Constant changing directions in rallies. pic.twitter.com/aAlOschczh

— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) August 2, 2024

Badosa will face World No. 49 Caroline Dolehide in Saturday's semifinal match at 2:30 p.m. EST. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport and beyond.

Further Reading: Ben Shelton wins DC Open quarterfinal match on controversial call.