2021 US Open champ Emma Raducanu back at #Wimbledon two years later with a 7-6(0), 6-3 win over Renata Zarazua to reach the 2nd round. Good start for the 2yo Brit on Centre Court.
After late opponent change, Emma Raducanu returns home to Wimbledon with straight sets triumph
WTAMonday, 01 July 2024 at 19:14
Emma Raducanu is through to the second round of Wimbledon where she will face Elise Mertens after a 7-6, 6-3 win over lucky loser Renata Zarazua as she took centre stage on Monday afternoon.
The former US Open champion will have been preparing for a somewhat tougher test all week as she was due to face of against Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 22nd seed who is a quality operator on grass. But she withdrew early on Monday leaving it to a lucky loser to attempt to spoil the party.
Somewhat that makes it more difficult especially given that for Raducanu she harbours British hopes with many fans coming to see her in action. But she certainly showed that at full fitness, she is still box office and not the flash in the pan some coin her.
In the opening set, Raducanu forced her opponent back almost to the royal box dominating from the front and forced her into errors and as a result a break point. A weak backhand from Zarazua saw Raducanu break which she consolidated to make it 4-2. But Raducanu's game slightly fell away as her radar fell away and she was broken and it went back on serve for the remainder of the set. Being forced to save the set twice, she sent it to a tiebreak.
But Raducanu firmly dominated it leaving nothing to chance. She upped the anti and was delivering again on her serve just at the right time. She went 6-0 up in the changeover and finished it 7-2 to head into the lead. She struggled at the start of the second set but snuck a break point chance which proved vital. She went 4-2 up and held to go one away as frustration was ailed by winning the points needed. Zarazua shanked a return and Raducanu held to head towards the win.
She had a match point on the Mexican's serve but she couldn't take it. Not to worry though as she dominated on serve to seal the win and move through. Match one done for Raducanu and a late test excelled in.
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