Emma Raducano made a positive return to the court after her injury scare, advancing to the second round of the Australian Open with a straight sets win.
On day one in Melbourne, the British number one won 6-3 6-2 against Germany’s Tamara Korptsch.
The 20-year-old Raducano sprained his ankle in Auckland 11 days ago and a beaming smile showed his delight in his Test debut after sealing victory.
The world number 77 will now face American seventh seed Coco Goff in round two.
Goff, 18, is favorite to win the women’s singles at Melbourne Park and opened with a 6-1 6-4 victory over Czech rival Katerina Siniakova.
American third seed Jessica Pegula, Goff’s doubles partner and favored by many to win her first major singles title, made it even bigger with a 6-0 6-1 victory over Romania’s Jacqueline Cristian. Statement which took only 59 minutes.
In the men’s singles, Britain’s Kyle Edmond was beaten 6-4 6-0 6-2 by Italian 15th seed Jannik Sner as he continues to rebuild his career after a serious knee injury.
Edmund, 28, reached the semi-finals in 2018 but saw his career derailed after needing three operations and playing using a safe rating.
Comfortable start for Raducanu but bigger tests lie ahead
When Raducanu walked off the Auckland court in tears, his chances of playing in his first major of the season looked in serious doubt.
Physical problems have dogged the Briton since she was catapulted to superstardom by winning the 2021 US Open as a teenage qualifier and, after hiring Andy Murray’s former fitness coach Jez Green, she has spent the pre-season I worked hard to prepare my body to withstand the rigors. WTA Tour.
So it was a bitter blow when he twisted his left ankle in what he described as a freak “accident”.
Raducanu’s movement improved in practice at Melbourne Park as recently as last week, but the real indication of his condition will only be revealed in the match scenario.
“Everything I’ve done has been pretty controlled this past week. So I got to experience it in a real match, being unpredictable and getting used to it at the beginning. It felt good, ” he said.
“You know it’s there and if anything, it takes some of the pressure off.
“It’s because you, like, I’ve done a great job of getting myself on the court, and my team has done a great job. It’s a huge accomplishment for all of us [to be on the court. ].
With an ankle brace, Reducano looked cautious at first as she extended to the backhand side and had to put weight on the affected foot.
A poor quality start full of unforced errors saw the pair exchange five breaks of serve before Raducanu grew in confidence.
Korpatsch, 27, is one place higher than Raducanu but does not share the same pedigree and was making her Australian Open main draw debut.
A double fault from the German – more comfortable on clay and nervous all the time – brought up a match point which Raducanu took when Korpatsch hit a forehand long.
Raducanu was beaming with joy as she roamed the court in celebration, but she knows she has a tougher test ahead when she plays Goff on Wednesday.
“I can also enjoy all the hard work we’ve put in to get ourselves here,” Reducano said.
“If anything, it’s not mental, it’s more physical and just playing, seeing how it is.”
