Top seed Raducanu ousted by Friedsam in Slovenia
The former US Open champion was worn down by Friedsam in three sets
Top seed Emma Raducanu saw her hopes of a second WTA title – and first since her stunning US Open triumph a year ago – ended at the quarter-final stage of the Slovenia Open on Thursday, beaten by German qualifier Anna-Lena Friedsam in the second round.
Raducanu had her thigh strapped at the end of the first set – which she lost having led 5-3 – but won the second easily only to lose the decider as Friedsam won 7-5, 0-6, 6-3.
The 19-year-old lost in the first round of the US Open last month, beaten by France’s Alize Cornet.
Briton Raducanu has been struggling for full fitness this summer and found Friedsam too strong in the third set, the German winning through to her first ever WTA Tour quarter-final.
Friedsam claimed the vital break in the third set, for 5-3, and closed out the match to set up a clash with France’s Diane Parry.