Raducanu Starts Grass-Court Season with Straight-Set Win
Emma Raducanu, currently ranked 42nd in the world, commenced her Wimbledon preparations with a convincing straight-sets victory over Anna Blinkova in a rain-interrupted match at Queen's Club.
The British number one dominated the majority of the match, securing the first eight games consecutively before closing out a 6-0, 6-3 win against the Russian qualifier.
This victory marked Raducanu's first since 6 March, when she defeated qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in the first round of Indian Wells.
Her season had been disrupted by a post-viral illness that sidelined her from the WTA Tour for over two months. Upon her return, she lost her only two clay-court matches at Strasbourg and the French Open.
However, Raducanu appeared comfortable as she began her grass-court campaign in London and expressed her pleasure at competing in front of her home crowd.
"I'm so happy to have come through that match. To be back here playing at Queen's... I haven't actually won a match for a few months and there isn't a place I would rather have done it. I'm really grateful for all the support," Raducanu said to the crowd.
"I have people who mean a lot around me. I'm doing the best I can each day. Being part of the atmosphere is something that I really enjoy - I don't see it as added pressure, I really thrive off it. I'm just happy to be back."
Match Details and Performance
Raducanu had appeared below her best in her previous two matches following her illness, but 16 days after her first-round exit at Roland Garros, she found renewed form on Andy Murray Arena.
The 2021 US Open champion started strongly, taking a 3-0 lead before play was suspended due to rain. Despite the interruption, she maintained her momentum.
She secured the first set 6-0 in just 20 minutes, winning 25 of the 31 points played, with 11 winners and only two unforced errors.
Raducanu continued her high level into the second set, breaking Blinkova's serve early. However, the set became more competitive.
As a Queen's quarter-finalist last year, Raducanu was affected by double faults, allowing Blinkova to fight back. Four consecutive breaks of serve leveled the set at 3-3.
Raducanu then broke again, aided by a fortunate net cord, to gain the opportunity to serve out the match. She sealed the victory with a backhand winner down the line on her second match point, greeted by enthusiastic applause in the sunshine.
Before leaving the court, Raducanu wrote "back home" with a heart on a TV camera lens.
She will face either Romanian Sorana Cirstea or Australia's Maddison Inglis in the second round.
British Players in the Draw and Other Matches
Raducanu is one of five British players competing in the main draw this week, alongside Katie Boulter, Francesca Jones, Mika Stojsavljevic, and Harriet Dart.
Dart staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in one of only three matches completed on Monday, as rain severely disrupted the schedule.
Due to the weather delays, Boulter's match against eighth seed Leylah Fernandez did not commence until 19:30 BST. Play was suspended shortly after because the court became slippery, with Fernandez leading 6-3, 3-3. The match resumed on Tuesday.
- Live scores, results and order of play
- Get tennis news sent straight to your phone
