Emma Raducanu’s Korea Open Round 2 opponent: 8th seed Yuan Yue will provide stern test for Brit
It was a case of ‘job done’ for Emma Raducanu in the opening round of her Korea Open campaign, even if it was far from pretty.
She and opponent Peyton Stearns combined for 110 errors in a straight sets match that lasted two hours and 43 minutes, though the former US Open winner ultimately sealed a hard-fought 7-6(4), 7-6(5) victory.
Raducanu desperately needed a win to get back on track and, with her opener behind, she will now look to push on at the WTA 500 event in Seoul.
But it will not be easy for the Brit, with Yuan Yue – an opponent currently 30 places above her in the WTA Rankings – waiting next.
We take you through all you need to know about the star looking to end Raducanu’s campaign in the second round.
2024: Career-best season
Yue is embarking on a career-best season to date, with her current ranking of 40th just four spots off her career-high of 26th, achieved in May earlier this year.
The highlight of her season was a run to her maiden WTA Tour title, with the Chinese lifting the title at the WTA 250 event in Austin.
Yue dropped just one set on her way to the title, breezing past Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the last four before defeating compatriot Wang Xiyu 6-4, 7-6(4) to lift the title.
Meanwhile, she also broke new ground at Indian Wells back in the spring, reaching her first WTA 1000 quarter-final on her tournament debut.
She stunned eighth seed and compatriot Zheng Qinwen in the second round for her first top-10 win, and would also beat Daria Kasatkina before a last eight loss to third seed Coco Gauff.
Despite some big results, the Chinese star has struggled at Grand Slams in 2024, losing her opening match at all four majors.
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Korea Open pedigree
Raducanu has played well at the Korea Open previously, reaching the last four back in 2022.
However, Yue can better that result, having made her way to the final just a year ago.
Unseeded in the draw, Yue did not drop a set in her first two matches to book a quarter-final against Marie Bouzkova, defeating the fourth seed 7-5, 7-6(7) to reach the last four.
There, she dropped a set for the first time against Emina Bektas but rallied to defeat the American from a set down and reach her first WTA singles final.
Jessica Pegula proved too strong in the final, prevailing 6-2, 6-3, but it was a landmark week for the Chinese – who has continued to progress since then.
Round 1 win
Yue returned to Seoul this year as the eighth seed, though the opening draw was not too kind for her.
The Chinese was pitted against Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who came through qualifying to reach round three of the US Open, in the first round.
However, the 25-year-old was able to overcome an early wobble to triumphing, picking up a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory to book a date with Raducanu.
This will be the first career meeting between the two, and it is tough to call who may progress.
