- By Jonathan Jurejko
- ` Sport at Melbourne Park
January 16, 2024, 09:57 GMT
Updated 33 minutes ago
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Raducanu has won the first round of the Australian Open in all three appearances at Melbourne Park
|
Venue: Melbourne Park. Dates: 14th – 28th January |
|
Coverage: Tennis Breakfast commentary daily from 07:00 GMT on Radio 5 Sports Extra and ` Sounds, with selected live text commentary and match reports on the ` Sport website and app |
Emma Raducanu says it feels “extra sweet” to celebrate her Grand Slam comeback with a comfortable victory over Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Australian Open.
Briton Raducanu, 21, had not played in a major since last year's event in Melbourne as he was sidelined for almost eight months following surgery on his wrist and ankle.
The 2021 US Open champion served superbly, hitting her groundstrokes smoothly in a 6-3, 6-2 win.
“I’m very happy that I got through it,” said Raducanu.
“I think it’s definitely a little sweeter to have my first Grand Slam match back.”
Raducanu's reward is a second-round match against China's Wang Yafan, who eliminated 22nd seed Sorana Cirstea on Thursday.
The former British number one, who is now ranked 296th in the world after her break, won the first round games on Tuesday alongside her compatriots Katie Boulter, Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie.
Raducanu and Boulter – who has taken over as Britain's top-ranked woman – remain on course to meet in a savory third-round encounter.
The focus has been intense on Raducanu since she announced her arrival to the world with that remarkable triumph at the US Open.
The road has gotten rockier since the teenage qualifier won one of the biggest prizes in the sport.
Before the long break in operations in May, a series of injuries and illnesses occurred that took their toll both mentally and physically.
But interest in her story has never waned and Raducanu reminded us of her talent on a packed outdoor court at Melbourne Park.
Of course, even tougher tests lie ahead.
Rogers, who beat Raducanu en route to her decisive title in New York, is also on the comeback trail after missing the second half of last season with an abdominal injury.
Playing under a protected ranking of 51, the 31-year-old Rogers showed signs of rust and fatigue in a match in which she scored 35 unforced winners compared to 15 winners.
Nonetheless, Raducanu will take plenty of confidence from a performance in which she didn't face a break point and won 91% of the points behind her first serve.
Raducanu secured victory on her first match point with a forehand drive volley and immediately turned to her team with a clenched fist raised.
After shaking Rogers' hand, she smiled, waved to the crowd and then ran around the barricade to thank fans who leaned forward.
“I missed the feeling of playing and interacting with the audience, so I wanted to spend some time with them,” Raducanu said.
“I heard some little kids calling my name and I find it hard to walk away. I enjoy it and definitely missed it while I was away.”
Boulter passes the first test
British number one Boulter also reached the second round at Melbourne Park after overcoming a tough opening test against Yuan.
The 27-year-old won a tight first set with a second break of serve in the 11th game after players exchanged early blows.
Yuan delivered another immediate response to a break deficit in the second set, leveling at 5-5 as she frustrated Boulter by forcing a tiebreak.
But the Brit prevailed, dominating a tie-breaker in which she won seven of eight points – and each of the first five – to secure a pleasing straight-sets win.
She will face China's 12th seed Zheng Qinwen in the next round before a possible third-round clash with fellow Brit Raducanu.
Comments are closed.