Emma Raducanu faced a worrying injury concern just before the French Open, needing a medical timeout during her three-set defeat to Danielle Collins at the Strasbourg International.
In a thrilling match, world No. 46 Collins fought back from a set down to win 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 at the WTA 500 tournament.
This marks only the second quarter-final of 2025 for the American, who has faced challenges throughout the year.
“I knew playing Emma that I would have to play my aggressive game style,” said Collins on court.
“The more that I did that, I think that I was able to kind of stay in control of the points and really push her. She played really and gave me some challenges – but I just kept going after it.”
World No. 43 Emma Raducanu started strongly, showcasing brilliant tennis to claim an impressive first set.
However, as Danielle Collins found her rhythm after a shaky start, Raducanu’s performance dipped significantly, leading her to call for medical attention.
At 5-0 down in the second set, she took an off-court medical timeout for a back issue but returned to hold serve before Collins pushed the match to a deciding set.
In a tense final set, both players exchanged early breaks, but Collins seized control, breaking Raducanu’s last two service games to secure the victory.
Raducanu, who battled a back injury earlier in 2025 and withdrew from the Auckland Open before the Australian Open, will hope this injury isn’t serious with the French Open starting this Sunday.
The 22-year-old hasn’t competed at Roland Garros since 2022, having pulled out in 2023 due to injury and in 2024 due to scheduling.
The loss also cost Raducanu a chance to potentially re-enter the WTA top 40. Currently ranked 43rd, she’s climbed to No. 41 in the WTA Live Rankings after defeating Daria Kasatkina in the opening round.
A win over Collins wouldn’t have boosted her ranking further, but another victory could have positioned her one match from the top 40.
For Collins, the win offers a chance to halt a steep ranking slide. The 31-year-old, who began 2025 as world No. 11, has slipped to No. 46 after failing to defend her Miami and Charleston titles.
Facing the risk of dropping outside the top 60 in Strasbourg, where she has finalist points to defend, Collins is projected to fall to No. 59 ahead of her quarter-final.
