"It had a mind of its own": Emma Raducanu befuddled by serving woes despite opening Australian Open win
WTA
Emma Raducanu was pleased to rely on other parts of her game after serving woes disrupted her flow during her 7-6(4), 7-6(2) win over 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Australian Open in what is her first Tour level match of 2025.
She was due to play in Auckland but withdrew due to a back problem so hasn't actually played since the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November. It showed as she hit 15 unforced errors and won only 13 out of 43 points on her second serve.
She was broken six times in the match but she managed to get away with it much to the relief of the US Open champion.
“I’m very pleased to have come through that match. It was difficult,” said Raducanu.
“It was quite hot out there, getting quite sunny. Obviously playing against a really experienced and seeded opponent who is playing great tennis.
“I’m very proud of how I fought and how I overcame certain situations in that match.”
“I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today. I think it had a mind of its own,” she added. "I think in the first set I was hitting a lot of good first serves. I hit a few aces. At the same time, I was hitting a double-fault. I was quite accepting that, Okay, I’m at least going for it.
“As the balls got heavier, it was a lot more difficult. As I think more kept coming, it was not easy to kind of refocus, but I knew that even if I was down, I have great returns.
“It was good to be able to rely on other parts of my game today that I know are quite strong, as well.
“I’m just very proud that I didn’t let it affect me too much and let the match run away from me.”
Next up is Amanda Anisimova who is known to have spent time with Raducanu off court and she lauded the ability of the American post match.
“She’s a big ball-striker. She hits the ball really hard,” Raducanu said of the American. "I practiced with her a couple of times. She likes to dictate. So I think it’s going to be a big challenge for me. She’s had some amazing results, as well. She broke out really early.”
“I’m looking forward to going out there and testing my game and seeing where I’m at.”
Emma Raducanu finds a way to win in Round 1 👀 pic.twitter.com/VHA4mrRO3M
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 14, 2025
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