Shhh wrote:

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I agree about the US Open win being a millstone. Take that away, for a 19 year old Brit, first year on tour, we would all be happy. Of course you cannot take the US Open away, it happened. And there have been things of concern since then but she is such a nice kid and a breath of fresh air I am surprised how hard some have been on her.

Like others I think her career all begins once we are past the US Open. My concern though is that she'll be playing main draw events without a seeding, should could get a run of tough draws and still not get a run together. There should be more 250 level stuff though, it will all work itself out. She is the real deal I am sure and she will get back to the highest level as and when she does, not "if".

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 As a GS champion though she'll never have to worry about qualifying again which is a considerable bonus.

It's almost as if before last summer Emma was the indie act only the cool kids knew about who then became a superstar overnight without having to pay her dues.

QF: RADUCANU, Emma (GBR) (2) 10 lost to SAMSONOVA, Ludmila ( ) 60 6-7(6) 1-6

I unwisely stayed up to watch. Ugly first set from both players.

Emma broken to start the match from 30-15, df then a super return from LS, then dominated a 2nd serve point.

Samsonova then handed Emma a break to love, missing all 4 first serves, one df and 3 backhand errors.

Emma held thanks to LS errors, then had bp after more LS errors but LS saved it with good play. Samsonova broke for 2-3* then held from 15-30 with a big first serve followed by 2 aces.

A rare good shot from Emma after her serve to hold for 3-4* and a super forehand return winner to break after LS had gifted her 3 points. Then a long Raducanu service game, wasting 4 game points before saving one bp, eventually holding for 5-4*.

Emma with a super backhand down the line winner to get back to 40-40 in the next Samsonova service game, then a df gave her bp on a 2nd serve but Emma stood so deep to return that she handed the initiative to LS who dominated the point, another set point after LS backhand error wide but this one was saved by an ace.

Emma broken from 30-0, no penetration on her serve or her groundstrokes so far too easy for Samsonova to dominate the points 5-6*

Emma punished a 2nd serve, df for 15-30, a deep b from Emma for 15-40, LS f error long after her serve 6-6

Good serves and one LS forehand winner immediately after her serve took the score to 3-2* Emma with a super forehand down the line winner then LS poor drop shot into the net *5-2. Emma just wide with a backhand after her serve then a rather passive first serve handed the initiative to LS, eventually forehand winner 5-4*. LS df 6-4* 2nd serve, again Emma stood deep behind the baseline to return, rubbish forehand error long *6-5. Passive 1st serve LS dominates again 6-6. 2nd serve LS dominates 6-7. ace 6-8

The 2nd set rather resembled Emma's efforts late in the match against Sasnovich in Indian Wells last year. Lacklustre, barely looked interested in competing, tons of dfs. Had game points in both games in which she was broken yet just threw it away with abysmal 2nd serves. Seemed to lose all confidence in her 2nd serve for spells in the match.

Almost everything was wrong with Emma's performance.

Leaving aside all the points she has to defend it's got very disappointing to see a result like Emma's last one.
I'm just a tennis fan and not an expert but is this more an off court issue than on court.
I know she got blisters etc but all players get things wrong with them.
It just seems worrying if she seemed to give up almost in that second set.
I believe there's a damn good player there but something just doesn't seem right.

Samsonova went on to win the title, beating Kanepi in three sets. A very good week for her, also beating Mertens and Tomljanovic