Korea Open: Raducanu retires due to injury as Kasatkina progresses

Emma Raducanu withdrew from her Korea Open quarterfinal match against top seed Daria Kasatkina on Saturday due to a foot ailment, having lost the opening set 6-1.

Despite a medical timeout, the 21-year-old Raducanu, a former member of the British team, continued to play, making double faults and failing to chase returns across the court as she strained her left foot, her landing leg.

The foot injury also surfaced during Raducanu’s round of 16 clash with Yuan Yue, where she was able to continue after a medical timeout and win 6-4 6-3.

“I feel sorry for Emma … it’s a pity to get injured, especially in the deeper stages on the tournament,” Kasatkina said after the match. “I wish her a speedy recovery.”

Raducanu’s most recent loss comes after she chose not to compete in any tournaments in the weeks preceding the US Open, where Sofia Kenin eliminated her in the opening round last month.

Kasatkina will play fellow Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals later on Saturday, after rain washed out Friday’s play in Seoul.

Fourth seed Shnaider beat Australian Open quarter-finalist and Ukrainian fifth seed Marta Kostyuk 7-6(7) 6-3 in the quarter-finals.

Brazilian third seed Beatriz Haddad Maia faces former French Open quarter-finalist Veronika Kudermetova in the other semi-final, after brushing aside Veronika’s sister Polina Kudermetova 6-2 6-1 in the last eight.

Russia’s Veronika beat Viktoriya Tomova 7-5 6-3 to reach her first semi-final of the year.