January 18, (THEWILL) – Emma Raducanu advanced to the second round of the Australian Open after a tumultuous encounter against Sloane Stephens.
Raducanu, who was playing in Melbourne for the first time in her career, sped through the opening set in 17 minutes. She dropped the second set and had to come back to win 6-0 2-6 6-1.
Raducanu will play world number 98 Danka Kovinic in the second round, with two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep a possible third-round opponent.
Raducanu’s effort against Stephens was far from ideal, but it was a much-needed win for the 19-year-old. After her unexpected US Open victory, the British number one struggled in the second half of 2021, winning just one game in a thrashing by Elena Rybakina in Sydney last week.
Raducanu, who tested positive for COVID-19 in December, looked great in the opening set against 2017 US Open winner Stephens, losing only four games. Raducanu blasted seven wins in the 17-minute set, assisted by Stephens’ eight unforced errors.
Raducanu came back to tie the game at 2-2, only to lose four games in a row as Stephens even the score. With the match on the line, Raducanu stepped up her game in the third set, striking the ball cleanly and regaining her range.
She won five games in a row to take command of the set, which she finished on her own serve. Stephens fought back at the start of the second set, breaking to get on the board after a long game
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
