"Forty-eight unforced errors": Laura Robson gives honest assessment on Emma Raducanu's poor loss to Kalinina in Doha

WTA
Tuesday, 13 February 2024 at 02:00
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Former Britain tennis star Laura Robson believes that former world number one Emma Raducanu’s recent debacle in Doha was largely down to lack of discipline.
The 21-year-old was knocked out of the Qatar Open after losing in the first round to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina with a score of 6-0, 7-6.
Robson was recently quoted in a report where she stated how Raducanu's lack of discipline was the primary reason behind her failure in the recent competition.
“Forty-eight unforced errors - that's where you start when you debrief the match,” she said. ”How do you cut the number down in future matches? Yes, she did bring the number down as the match went on but it was almost a bit too late because Kalinina had a bit too much confidence in her backhand as the match went on.
“That was really the story. As soon as Kalinina was able to rip the backhand cross-court, Emma wasn't able to get enough width on her forehand and that affects the depth.”
Raducanu, while talking to the media after the match, admitted that she struggled throughout the match, especially with her serve.
"I think I was struggling with everything, serve, return, forehand, backhand," she said. "To be honest I felt like I never really got into it. I think it was a combination of things. It's like my first day match I think I've played in a year, so that's different.
"Honestly, I think I need to practice training outside a bit more because it's very different and also the light, conditions, shadows - it's really hard to kind of see the ball, I found towards the end.”
The result was another setback for the former US Open champion as she was recently knocked out of the Australian Open after losing in the second round to China’s Wang Yafan with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

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