Wimbledon 2024: Raducanu seals opener to lead British charge
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Emma Raducanu marched into the second round for a third time since her main draw debut three years ago thanks to her 7-6(0), 6-3 win against lucky loser Renata Zarazua.
The British tennis talent, who entered the tournament ranked 135, paid no heed to the so-called pressures that come with the Centre Court buzz to oust the world No.98 in one hour and 57 minutes.
“It was an incredibly difficult match,” said Raducanu as she reflected on her win.
“It’s rare that I’ve played a defender who’s managed to land the ball on the baseline, or just continue to find returns.
“It took a lot of strength to get over the line.”
Former Grand Slam champion Raducanu yielded her one-break buffer in the opening set as Zarazua continued to frustrate with her repertoire of shots.
However, a sweeping 6-0 tiebreak in the favour of the former British No.1 gifted her the advantage, bolstering her confidence to maintain her lead in the second.
Raducanu’s return to the world-renowned stage marks her sixth win in eight on the grass this season to continue her comeback trail following an injury ravaged 2023.
Honestly, it was like watching the football last night – winning ugly or not, it all counts!
Speaking on her return to Wimbledon, Raducanu said: “I’m incredibly happy to be back. I was nervous, and I think that showed in my tennis a little bit, but you just have to do what it takes to get over the line.
“Honestly, it was like watching the football last night – winning ugly or not, it all counts!”
On her road to The Championships, Raducanu’s tilt for silverware was ended by two champions in Katie Boulter and Daria Kastatkina after their respective runs at the Rothesay Open, Nottingham and the Rothesay International, Eastbourne.
Despite missing out on what would have been her first piece of silverware since lifting the 2021 US Open title, it still remains that the 21-year-old’s streak during the grass-court swing buoyed the Brit to secure a stellar opener, having progressed to the semi-finals in Nottingham and the quarter-finals in Eastbourne.
The Briton will now face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in her next challenge on Wednesday as she vies for her best recorded performance at SW19 since reaching the fourth round three years ago.
The Championships, Wimbledon results & updates
Get all the latest results and updates from the British players competing at The Championships, Wimbledon between 24 June- 14 July.
