And there it is 💥 @EmmaRaducanu prevails in a late night thriller, defeating Mertens in 3 sets to reach the 2nd round in DC! #MubadalaCitiDCOpen
Emma Raducanu makes winning return at DC Open in Mertens thriller amid jet lag and late start
WTATuesday, 30 July 2024 at 09:12
Emma Raducanu had to dig deep in order to open up her DC Open (Mubadala Citi DC Open) campaign with a win. The former US Open champion dealt with both jet lag and a super late start. But she saw off Elise Mertens again 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
Raducanu who has received some criticism in recent weeks for deciding against playing the Olympic Games has had a more tetchy approach to returning to the court. It has been more on her terms as opposed to rushing anything and has been about building up matches over jumping into the Olympic Games for instance.
Also the Brit didn't play much clay court tennis. She showed real promise in Stuttgart and the Billie Jean King Cup but decided against going to Paris for the French Open. She then snubbed it again. A decision which Heather Watson for instance did not understand.
But all becomes academic if Raducanu can produce this week in Washington. She looked on course throughout her clash with Mertens to be heading for a similarly rampant win as at Wimbledon.
But the brakes came off as Raducanu swept five straight games to win the first set. The errors went from Mertens and Raducanu was forced into a real battle. She made the most of her only break of serve to level up after Raducanu had led 40-0 in the sixth game. Raducanu led early in the final set.
She broke but could not make the most of a 3-1 lead. Mertens broke back and saved two break points to level at 3-3. Raducanu saved five break points again before breaking herself. Only for Mertens to continue the game of cat and mouse and strike back again. But an error fest at the end of the game saw Mertens crack. An 11th double fault sealed the win for Raducanu as she moves on after a real tough battle.
"I think getting through first rounds are always difficult. I think first rounds are all about getting through them and trying to find a way to work your way into the tournament and I'm very proud of that," Raducanu said.
"I think I'm just most proud of my mentality and character today. I was playing some pretty good tennis in patches throughout, especially in the first set and moments in the third set. I lost some focus in the second.
"It's not easy playing at 11.30. I got here Thursday night so I'm still jet-lagged. I was telling myself, 'I'm not leaving. This is not happening. You're not losing this match'."
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