Melbourne, Australia – British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu kicked off her Australian Open campaign with a commanding victory over Elina Savinykh in the first round. The 2021 US Open champion showcased her trademark resilience, battling through a tight contest to secure a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win on the hard courts of Melbourne Park.
Raducanu, seeded 25th, faced a gritty opponent in the 29-year-old Kazakh player, who entered the main draw as a qualifier. The match, lasting nearly two hours, tested Raducanu’s mental fortitude early on. Savinykh drew first blood in the second set, breaking Raducanu’s serve twice to level the score and force a decider.
But the young Briton regrouped brilliantly in the third set. She elevated her game, firing winners from both wings and serving with precision. A crucial break at 2-2 swung momentum firmly in her favor, and Raducanu closed out the match with a forehand winner down the line.
‘I felt like I grew into the match as it went on,’ Raducanu said post-match. ‘Savinykh played really well, especially in that second set. I’m just happy to get through.’ This win marks a strong start for Raducanu, who has been working on consistency after injury setbacks last year.
Next up for the 21-year-old is a second-round clash against another qualifier, Wang Xiyu. With the Australian Open field wide open, Raducanu’s form signals she could make a deep run. Fans are already buzzing about her potential to reclaim Grand Slam glory Down Under.