SINGAPORE – In a surprising twist at the inaugural Singapore Tennis Open, Emma Raducanu faced a disappointing first-round exit against 101st-ranked Cristina Bucșa, losing in a nail-biting match that reached over three hours. The former US Open champion, who was among the favorites to go deep in the tournament, had hoped to showcase her skills on a new stage but ultimately fell short with a score of 7-5, 5-7, 5-7.

Raducanu commenced the match with a confident approach, showcasing her aggressive style as she clawed back from 4-5 down to secure the first set. However, as the match progressed, the tide turned. The once-powerful winners began transforming into unforced errors, revealing the small margins that often determine the outcome in elite sport.

One decisive moment came at 5-5 in the second set, where a groundstroke into the net granted Bucșa a crucial break that shifted the momentum. The final set was a test of endurance, with both players struggling to hold their serves—highlighted by a total of seven breaks throughout the set. Ultimately, Bucșa exhibited remarkable composure to seal the victory.

Following the match, Raducanu expressed her disappointment while simultaneously emphasizing a silver lining—she felt she performed better than during her more favorable third-round stint at the Australian Open just a week earlier. "I think I'm in a pretty good place with everything and I think I actually played better than I did in Melbourne, so that is ironic,” she remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "I honestly thought I played pretty well today. She just played unbelievable and, credit to her, she kept it up the whole match."

This early exit comes amid a year of change for Raducanu, who has been navigating challenges with her fitness and the recent departure of her coach, Nick Cavaday, due to health issues. Despite these hurdles, Raducanu remains optimistic, stating, "Every match I play, I feel like it's a win. I fought really hard. I just got to keep building and moving on."

Looking ahead, there's uncertainty regarding her next steps, including her initial plan to remain in Singapore for the Lunar New Year celebrations. "I haven't had much time to explore [the city] yet this year because of the tournament," she noted, adding, "Singapore will always have a special place, and the fans here are unbelievable. I felt so much support, I felt so much love. I just feel bad I couldn't pull through for them."