Emma Raducanu makes winning return in Indian Wells despite wrist injury

Thursday, 09 March 2023 at 23:30

Emma Raducanu was in doubt to take to the court tonight but she did and played a really strong match taking down Danka Kovinic in straight sets 6-2 6-4.

Danka Kovinic is a very strong player and these slower conditions in Indian Wells suits her style of play really well. She can hit the ball really hard and really well making players work for every point. Raducanu had no problems with that today as the Brit absorbed pressure really well and actually used it against Kovinic.

Most of the damage Raducanu did on return came on the second serve as she dominated Kovinic in that regard hitting the ball really early for a winner. She was quite lucky to get Kovinic on a very poor serving day as she hovered around 50 % first serve percentage for most of the match. The Brit on the other hand was only slightly better but the rallies were heavily in her favour.

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The first set finished 6-2 for Raducanu as Kovinci simply could not keep up with Raducanu's hitting ability. The second was a bit more competitive but she finished it off with a second break to make it 6-2 6-3. Her first win since the Auckland Open and her first since the ankle injury that bothered her at the Australian Open.

She played with a wrist injury today.