Raducanu starts grass season with dominant win in Nottingham

Emma Raducanu launched her grass-court campaign with a strong performance at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham, marking a successful return to the surface after her early exit from Roland Garros.

Just 16 days after her French Open departure, the 2021 US Open champion showcased impressive form on the Andy Murray Arena. Raducanu established a commanding 3-0 lead in the first set before rain briefly halted play. Undeterred, she captured the set swiftly in just 20 minutes, winning 25 of the 31 points contested, hitting 11 winners against only two unforced errors.

Maintaining her high level, Raducanu broke serve at the start of the second set. However, the match saw a shift as double faults allowed her opponent, Anastasia Blinkova, to break back, leading to four consecutive breaks of serve that tied the set at three games apiece. Despite the mid-match challenge, Raducanu regained momentum.

She secured another crucial break, aided by a fortunate net cord, to earn the opportunity to serve for the match. Raducanu ultimately closed out the contest with a decisive backhand winner down the line on her second match point, eliciting huge cheers from the crowd. Exiting the court, she wrote 'back home' with a heart on a TV camera lens. Raducanu will face either Romania's Sorana Cirstea or Australia's Maddison Inglis in the second round.

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