Upheaval is no barrier to victory for Raducanu

ANOTHER eventful week for Emma Raducanu on the coaching front ended with another convincing win on the surface it was feared would trip her up. The US Open champion claimed her fourth win out of six on European clay when she fought back to defeat Tereza Martincova 7-6, 6-0 and make the Madrid Open second round. After the Billie Jean King Cup earlier this month it was her second win over the Czech, who fell away after Raducanu saved three set points in the opener. She trailed 5-2 in what are lively conditions, with the Spanish capital being at altitude, but showed greater conviction in the tiebreak, which she took 7-3. ‘It was a tricky first set,’ said the British No 1, who is making her debut in the event. ‘It’s always tough playing on a brand new court and it took me a little bit of time to adjust to my surroundings. ‘If you’re low or lacking in your own game, an opponent at this level is going to take advantage. ‘I’m just glad I stuck through the first set and definitely relaxed in the second.’ She now faces Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who beat her in less than an hour when they met in Romania in October. For yesterday’s match there was another new face in Raducanu’s support box with Iain Bates, head of the women’s game at the Lawn Tennis Association, on duty after her split from coach Torben Beltz this week. There was little sign of disruption though, Raducanu landing three out of four first serves, a percentage which indicates a decent level of confidence during her first senior excursions on the dirt. Andy Murray has drawn former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the first round of the men’s singles, which begins this weekend. Fellow Brits Dan Evans, Cam Norrie and Jack Draper will also be in action.