Emma Raducanu rallied from a break down in each units to beat Danka Kovinic 6-2 6-3 at Indian Wells to realize revenge on the Montenegrin who beat her on the 2022 Australian Open.
No one was fairly certain what to anticipate from the 20-year-old Briton coming into the WTA 1000 event within the Southern California desert, even whether or not she would truly take the court docket.
The wrist damage that compelled her to close down her season early final 12 months has reportedly been flaring up once more and after she withdrew from a pre-tournament exhibition occasion, it appeared she won’t compete in any respect.
But she walked on to the sun-soaked showpiece court docket to a loud ovation and after going 2-0 down, started to search out the vary together with her forehand and sealed the 33-minute first set with a second service ace.
The story repeated within the second set the place she once more fell behind 2-0 earlier than recovering to advance to the second spherical, the place she’s going to face Poland’s Magda Linette.
“I’m happy I stuck in,” Raducanu stated in an on-court interview.
“Being a break down is difficult of course but I think mentally I just took it a point at a time.”
She stated she relished taking part in on what she known as one among her favorite courts.
“I’m just so happy to have got through and hopefully play another match in front of you guys,” she stated.
But for Kimberly Birrell, the event is over.
The Australian was overwhelmed 6-3 6-2 by Sorana Cirstea within the opening spherical.
Cirstea was a dominant winner, changing 5 of 10 break level alternatives.
She will now meet No.19 seed Madison Keys within the spherical of 64.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
