Emma Raducanu hampered by blisters as she's thrashed in Billie Jean King Cup tie
- Seb Sternik
- 16 April 2022
US Open champion Emma Raducanu suffered a straight sets defeat to Marketa Vondrousova during Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup clash against the Czech Republic.
Raducanu struggled with a blister on her right foot as she fell to a 6-1 6-1 loss against the former French Open finalist.
The match only took 62 minutes as Vondrousova backed up her 6-1 6-0 demolition of Harriet Dart with another stellar performance.
Raducanu was forced to take out a medical time out at the end of the first set and went on to limp through the second on what was a difficult day for the teenager.
The conditions didn't help either, as the thermometer read just six degrees on Saturday morning - unusually cold for an outdoor tennis match.
The Brit wore leggings and a long-sleeve top in an attempt to keep worm, while fans and support staff wore hats and blankets.
A day earlier, the 19-year-old put on a strong showing in her 7-5 7-5 victory over Tereza Martincova - her first ever win at this event.
However, the challenge of Vondrousova proved too much in Prague as the world number 32 continues to lead her team through the competition.
The Czech player has spent thousands of hours on those courts and her experience proved deadly.
The British number one, on the other hand, did reveal ahead of the tie that sliding during training did prove costly as she adds another physical problem to an already growing list.
The result leaves Czech Republic in prime position to win the qualifying tie and progress in the ongoing Billie Jean King Cup.
A place in the Finals is up for grabs for the winners, while the losers will have to compete in a play-off in November 2022.
