Comeback clinic from Emma RADUCANU in crucial Billie Jean King Cup win against Caroline Garcia for Great Britain

In her return to Billie Jean King Cup action, Emma Raducanu is back in the winners' circle in the toughest match she could've got from the schedule as she faced former WTA Finals champion and former top 5 player in Caroline Garcia to keep Great Britain on track.

Raducanu hadn't played Billie Jean King Cup since 2022, but needed to play one more time in the cycle to keep her Olympic Games hopes alive. Despite having other players ahead of her in the rankings such as Harriet Dart and Heather Watson, this of course is very much a misleading stat as Raducanu has just returned from injury. This meant that the former US Open champion was always going to play in France alongside fellow top Brit, Katie Boulter.

It was quite the comeback too both in terms of the overall tie and also the match for Raducanu as she lost the first set 6-3 to Garcia in her first match since Indian Wells where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka. It was very much chances aplenty given to Garcia early on at 2-1 down but Raducanu stayed firm only to lose her serve back to back despite breaking back at 4-3. Garcia eased to an easy hold at 6-3 to claim the set.

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Raducanu looked in trouble as she lost the opening game of the second set and her serve. She didn't get it back until 2-2 but then broke again at 4-2 to begin the comeback. Despite being two break points down eventually, she claimed the set and was hoisted back into the match. It was nearly over quicker than expected well for Raducanu anyway.

The 21-year-old rejoiced as if she'd won the match at 5-1 then quickly realised in a hilarious but embarrassing moment that she still had to win one more game. Garcia held firm on her serve, but Raducanu snuck away at 6-2 to claim the win. This is pivotal for Great Britain with Diane Parry thrashing Katie Boulter earlier today in a shock upset 6-2, 6-0. Tomorrow, it will revert with Raducanu playing Parry and Boulter playing Garcia in the best of five format.

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