Emma Raducanu: Brit suffers early exit at Singapore Open to world ...

Emma Raducanu suffered a disappointing early exit at the Singapore Open after losing a three-hour battle to world No 101 Cristina Bucsa.

Bucsa, ranked No 101 in the world, took advantage of an error-strewn display from the Brit to advance with a 5-7 7-5 7-5 win in a contest which featured 17 breaks of serve.

Raducanu appeared in a comfortable position at a set up and then 5-4 up in sets two and three, but lost the last three games in both of sets to go down to defeat.

The former US Open champion made it to the third round of the Australian Open in a promising start to the year, but went out after winning only a single game against second seed Iga Swiatek in a 6-1 6-0 hammering on Rod Laver Arena.

She arrived in Singapore after parting ways with childhood coach Nick Cavaday, who stepped down last week due to health issues.

Instead, the 22-year-old had her mother Renee for company in the stands, as well as new fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura.

But Raducanu still flagged as the finish line approached at the end of a brutal encounter.

She saved two break points in the first game with a pair of aces, with Bucsa serving for the first set but was reeled back in by a whipped forehand winner from the Brit.

Raducanu, seeded seventh, sealed a confident hold to love with an ace and then took her first set point with another clubbing forehand.

She retrieved an early break in the second set for 5-5 but Bucsa, showcasing some of the volleying which helped her win an Olympic bronze medal in doubles last year, struck again to level the match.

A jittery deciding set featured seven breaks as double faults began to creep in at Raducanu's end.

Bucsa served for the match at 6-5 and although Raducanu saved two match points, the Moldovan-born 27-year-old converted her third to seal the win in a marathon encounter.

Tale of the Tape

Bucsa won one more point than Raducanu in a match that lasted three hours and three minutes at the Kallang Tennis Hub.

Bucsa praises Raducanu following epic clash

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"I don't play [three-hour matches] enough but it was really good," said Bucsa, who has been ranked as high as world No 56.

"Emma played so well from the first ball until the end. I'm so glad I kept going and kept believing in myself.

"It doesn't matter if I have a day off, I have good endurance and I'm really happy to have my dad [who did a triathalon] with me. Thank you for the support."

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.