Australian Open 2025: Emma Raducanu shows great spirit to defeat 26th seed in first round
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Emma Raducanu overcame a difficult serving performance to clinch an upset victory over 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in two tie-break sets to move on to the second round of the Australian Open.
Despite hitting 15 doubles faults, the British No.2 showed excellent fight to beat Alexandrova 7-6(4), 7-6(2) in two hours and 19 minutes.
“I’m very pleased to have come through that match, it was difficult," Raducanu said after the match. "Playing against a difficult and seeded opponent who’s playing great tennis, I’m proud of how I fought and overcame certain situations in that match.
“I think it had a mind of its own (her serve). I had to accept the situation – in the first set I hit a lot of first serves, hit a few aces but then I was hitting a double fault, so I was quite accepting in at least going for it.
“It wasn’t easy to refocus, but I knew even if I was down I had good returns so it was good that I could rely on other parts of my game. I’m proud that I didn’t let it affect me too much.
“Right now, I feel good in my body and I think it’s a testament to the work that I’m doing off the court.”
Raducanu came into the match having suffered through a back issue during the first few weeks of the 2025 season, but got off to the brighter start of the pair in what turned into a scrappy contest.
The 2021 US Open champion broke twice to take a 3-1 and then 4-2 lead but was really struggling on her second serve – winning just three of 17 points behind it during the set.
Alexandrova kept herself withing striking distance before turning the set on its head. The four-time WTA title winner wrestled the lead in her favour, but like Raducanu, failed to capitalise when serving with a 5-4 and then 6-5 advantage to see out the set.
The biggest positive for Raducanu was the way she handled the big moments of the match. Having broken back twice to stay in the set and force the tie-break, the Briton struck three vital points in a row at 4-4 in the breaker to move one set to the good.
Raducanu appeared to have settled into the second set having consolidated her break in the opening game with her first hold in her last five service games.
The Briton led 5-4, 30-0 and seemed within touching distance of serving out the match, but the doubles faults came back to bite. Before she knew it, Raducanu was facing set point at 6-5 down, but managed to keep her nerve and force a tie-break.
Once again Raducanu showed her best in a pivotal moment. She opened the tie-break with six straight points before punching her ticket into the second round on her third match point.
Raducanu moves on to face USA’s world No.35 Amanda Anisimova in the second round – a player who draws a lot of parallels with the 22-year-old British star.
A former junior US Open champion, Anisimova reached the Roland Garros semi-finals at the age of 17 – becoming the youngest player to reach the final four of a Slam since 2006.
The US star is also a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, has made the fourth round in Melbourne and has two WTA titles to her name.
“I know she’s a big ball-striker, hits the ball really hard," Raducanu said. "I’ve practiced with her a couple of times and she likes to dictate. It’s going to be a challenge for me of course, she’s had some amazing results as well.
“She broke out really early as well and I’m looking forward to going out there and testing where I’m at.”
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