Rising tennis star Emma Raducanu faced an unexpected and swift exit from the prestigious Canadian Open in Montreal, succumbing to American counterpart Amanda Anisimova in a straight-sets encounter. This early departure marks a significant moment for the British No. 1, disrupting her momentum on the WTA Tour following a promising performance in the preceding Washington Open.

The match unfolded rapidly, with Anisimova demonstrating formidable precision and power, ultimately defeating Raducanu with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 scoreline. The encounter, lasting a mere 64 minutes, saw Raducanu struggle to find her rhythm, managing to secure only three games against a highly determined opponent.

Anisimova’s victory is particularly noteworthy given her recent challenging experience in the Wimbledon final, where she endured a humbling ‘double bagel’ defeat. Her commanding performance against Raducanu at the Canadian Open suggests a strong mental and physical rebound, showcasing her capacity to compete at the highest levels of professional tennis.

Conversely, Raducanu had entered the Montreal tournament with considerable confidence, having impressed observers with her run to the semi-finals at the Washington Open just days prior. Her initial rounds in Montreal were marked by comfortable wins, setting expectations for a deeper progression in the tournament.

The tone for the tightly contested match was established early in the second game when Anisimova engineered a crucial break of Raducanu’s serve from a 40-15 deficit. While Raducanu managed to break back immediately, it proved to be an isolated moment of success, as Anisimova maintained her dominance throughout the remainder of the contest, preventing any further breakthroughs.

Interestingly, previous meetings between Emma Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova on hard courts in Miami and Australia earlier this year had seen Raducanu emerge victorious, also in straight sets. This reversal of fortune in Montreal adds another layer to their burgeoning rivalry on the WTA Tour, hinting at the unpredictable nature of top-tier tennis.

The quick transition from the Washington semi-final on a Saturday to her opening match in Montreal on the following Monday presented a demanding schedule for Raducanu. While she appeared at ease in her initial two matches, the intense turnaround may have contributed to the challenges faced against a resurgent Anisimova.

This result at the Canadian Open provides valuable insights into the competitive landscape of professional tennis, highlighting Anisimova’s renewed form and underscoring the continuous challenges faced by elite athletes like Emma Raducanu on the demanding WTA Tour circuit as they navigate global tournaments and high-stakes encounters.