Raducanu makes winning start to grass-court season

Emma Raducanu is hopeful her commanding first-round win over Anna Blinkova at Queen’s can serve as a “really good stepping stone” for her Wimbledon preparations.

British number one Raducanu was dominant for most of the contest, winning the first eight games without reply before going on to complete a 6-0 6-3 victory over the Russian qualifier.

It was the 23-year-old’s first win since 6 March, when she beat qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in the Indian Wells first round.

Raducanu’s season has since been disrupted by a post-viral illness that kept her off the WTA Tour for more than two months, and she lost her only two matches on clay on her return – in Strasbourg and at the French Open.

But Raducanu appeared comfortable as she opened her grass-court season in London – and delighted to be competing in front of her home support.

“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 told the crowd.

In her two matches following illness, Raducanu appeared to be lacking in both energy and confidence as she showed little emotion on court.

But, 16 days after her first-round exit at Roland Garros, the Briton looked much more relaxed on Andy Murray Arena.

She smiled at the crowd during her warm-up, while there was a celebratory roar or fist pump after every point she won.

“The way I was feeling on the court, the way I was moving, the way I was expressing myself, just the whole package – not necessarily the tennis – just how I kind of was acting on the court, I really enjoyed it,” Raducanu said.

“I was just feeding off the atmosphere, and it felt free, it felt clear, and a lot of clarity. Not necessarily thinking too much, not trying to do too much. It felt very natural.”

The 2021 US Open champion held a commanding 3-0 lead before rain halted play – but that would not disrupt her rhythm.

She captured the first set without reply after just 20 minutes on court, winning 25 of the 31 points played – hitting 11 winners and just two unforced errors.

Raducanu maintained that excellent level to begin the second set with a break of serve – although she would not have it entirely her own way.

A Queen’s quarter-finalist last year, Raducanu was hampered by double-faults as she allowed Blinkova back in – with four successive breaks of serve tying the set at three games apiece.

However, Raducanu broke again, courtesy of a fortuitous net cord, to set up the chance to serve out the match, and she wore a beaming smile in the sunshine as a closing backhand winner down the line on her second match point was met by huge cheers.

Writing ‘back home’ with a heart on a TV camera lens before exiting the court, Raducanu will return to face either Romanian Sorana Cirstea or Australia’s Maddison Inglis in the second round.

British number three Katie Boulter also reached the second round, although her win was less straightforward as she fought back from a set and a break down to beat eighth seed Leylah Fernandez 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.

Their match was played over two days after rain on Monday evening saw play suspended with the Canadian leading 6-3 3-3.

But Boulter, the world number 73, stepped up the intensity on Tuesday to force a deciding set before wrapping up the win after two hours and 45 minutes.

“I am really pleased with the way I came back today. I was a step slow last night and she was playing great,” she said.

“I had to respond and it’s really hard to sleep at night when you’re in the middle of a match but I managed to get a few hours and I am really pleased how I managed to turn it around.

Boulter and Radcuanu will play doubles together later on Tuesday after they became a fan-favourite duo – better known as ‘Boultercanu’ at Queen’s last year.

There are five British players to feature in the main singles draw this week,with Raducanu and Boulter joined by Francesca Jones, Mika Stojsavljevic and Harriet Dart.

Dart fought back from a set down to beat Liudmila Samsonova 5-7 6-4 6-3 in one of only three matches completed on Monday as the rain wreaked havoc with the schedule.