| Dates: 22 May-5 June Venue: Roland Garros, Paris |
| Coverage: Live textual content and radio commentaries of chosen matches throughout BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, the BBC Sport web site and app |
Emma Raducanu confirmed struggle and spirit to come back again from a set down and win her senior debut on the French Open in opposition to Czech teenager Linda Noskova.
British primary Raducanu, 19, twice trailed by a set and a break, however dug deep to finally win 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-1 on the Roland Garros clay.
“It was an absolute battle. I’m pleased with the best way I fought,” Raducanu stated.
The US Open champion will face Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the second round.
Raducanu, seeded twelfth, sealed a memorable victory on her first match level with a forehand winner that wrongfooted 17-year-old Noskova.
It left the Briton leaping for pleasure in celebration after coming by way of a scrap that ranks as considered one of her best victories since successful the Grand Slam in New York final 12 months.
“Linda actually got here on the market firing and as quickly as I dropped my ball pace she was throughout me,” Raducanu stated.
“It was actually difficult in the second set – I’m actually pleased with how I fought however all props to Linda.”
While Raducanu has achieved a lot already in her brief skilled profession, she continues to interrupt new floor and the newest is taking part in among the many world’s greatest at Roland Garros.
The 19-year-old solely made her top-level debut on the clay throughout Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup tie in opposition to the Czech Republic final month, following that up with some optimistic performances in Stuttgart and Madrid.
This was Raducanu’s greatest win on the floor but. Not solely as a result of she got here again from a dropping place in opposition to a gifted opponent but additionally contemplating a again harm had “thrown into doubt” her participation on the clay-court Grand Slam.
Raducanu broke serve in the first recreation of the match and threatened to maneuver right into a 3-0 lead earlier than Noskova held off three break factors to flee with a gritty maintain.
Noskova, who received the 2021 ladies’ title at Roland Garros, levelled at 2-2 after a poor service recreation meant the Briton’s encouraging begin was not mirrored on the scoreboard.
Conditions turned as rain began to come back down on a cold Paris afternoon and Raducanu – almost certainly due to her again challenge – appeared eager to go off court docket moderately than wait round for a call.
Despite the bathe, the gamers remained on court docket and it was Noskova who dealt higher with the change of climate.
From holding a 4-2 lead, Raducanu discovered herself 5-4 behind and Noskova went on to win the tie-break with a flurry of winners off each wings.
Raducanu twice fell a break behind in the second set, however instantly worn out the deficit every time because the drama and high quality ramped up.
At 6-5, Noskova’s backhand started to interrupt down and, after three set factors have been saved by the Czech, Raducanu levelled on the fourth alternative with a uncommon and completely executed drop shot.
That gave added momentum to Raducanu going into the decider. Resisting strain on her serve at 1-1 additional deflated Noskova, who was showing to tire and not discovering the identical accuracy together with her pictures as earlier than.
Raducanu continued to play neatly and ruthlessly broke twice extra as she moved into the second round.
