Raducanu’s composed display in comeback win
Emma Raducanu marked her injurycomebackwithafine6-2 6-3 win over Danka Kovinic in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Raducanu’sparticipationin her first match since losing to CocoGauffinthesecondround oftheAustralianOpeninJanuary had been doubt after she revealedthewristproblemshe wastroubledbylastseasonhas returned.
But the British No.1, who withdrew from last week’s event in Texas and an exhibition tournament earlier this week, delivered a composed performance, despite clearly not being at 100 per cent, to progress to the next stage.
Raducanu practised in Indian Wells with strapping on both wrists, but it was the 20-year old’s recent bout of tonsillitis which appeared to be causing her the most discomfort.
Raducanu lost the opening two games, but broke back in the third before capitalising on a string of unforced errors from Kovinic to win six consecutive games and take the opening set.
However, despite her firstset triumph, Raducanu was struggling with her breathing between points, and lost the first two games of the second set.
Yet, just as in the first, Emma immediately broke back, winningfoursuccessivegames en route to booking her spot in the next round to claim only her third win of an injury-hit season. She will face Polish player Magda Linette for a place in the third round.
“It was a good match,” said Raducanu. “Danka is an extremely difficult opponent. I wasexpectingabattleandIam just glad to get through. I am happy I stuck in. Being a break down is difficult, but mentally Ijusttookitonepointatatime.”