Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter joined fellow Brits Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper within the second spherical of the Australian Open after each gamers gained in straight units; We’ll be bringing you reside scores, experiences, evaluation and options from Melbourne over the following two weeks
Of Nigel Chiu and Raz Mirza
10:19 UK Tuesday 16 January 2024
Emma Răducanu made gentle work of American Shelby Rogers with a 6-Three 6-2 first spherical victory on the Australian Open, 12 months since her final Grand Slam look.
Raducanu, who returned to tennis two weeks in the past, after eight months of surgical procedure on each wrists and an ankle, placed on an aggressive present as he did on the Auckland Basic earlier this month.
The 21-year-old will play China’s Wang Yafan within the subsequent spherical on Thursday and if she wins, there might be a British class within the final 16 between Raducanu and Katie Boulter, who progressed earlier on Tuesday.
Răducanu defeated Rogers within the fourth spherical of the 2021 US Open on her method to a memorable Grand Slam title on the age of 19. That match was additionally gained in straight units and it was an analogous story two and a half years later. .
With the group on her aspect, Răducanu broke within the third sport and comfortably held serve to take the primary set.
She broke early within the second and grabbed a vital maintain when Rogers broke again to deuce on a number of events however was unable to transform a break level alternative.
Răducanu made a double break within the fifth sport and continued to carry serve, reaching the second spherical in Melbourne for the third consecutive 12 months.
It was a strong exhibiting from Răducanu, contemplating he pulled out of two exhibition matches final week, opting to make use of Melbourne’s coaching grounds as a substitute.
She gained 91 % of her first-serve factors, highlighting her robust service video games, however she additionally took benefit of alternatives when she acquired them.
Boulter gained his first Australian Open match of 2019
British no. 1 Boulter defeated China’s Yuan Yue in straight units for her first Australian Open principal draw victory in 5 years.
Boulter has misplaced in qualifying in Melbourne for the previous two years however has made fast strides up the rankings in 2023 and was spectacular in a 7-5 7-6 (7-1) win over the in-form Yuan .
The one miss from Boulter, who has been the topic of a lot consideration because the lover of Australia’s prime hope Alex De Minaur, was two match factors that went on her personal serve at 5-Four within the second set.
However she rallied nicely and dominated the tie-break for simply her second principal draw win at Melbourne Park.
Boulter headed into this 12 months’s first Grand Slam ranked 57th and brimming with confidence after a blistering begin to 2024.
On the United Cup in Perth, Boulter earned the largest win of her profession over no. 5 Jessica Pegula and is eyeing one other sizeable bounce this 12 months.
It was a good contest all through, however Boulter as soon as once more confirmed she is a participant for the massive event, popping out on prime at nearly each key second.
A 6-5 break within the opening set gave him the prospect to serve, which he took in scorching and windy situations.
Yuan, ranked seven locations decrease than Boulter at world 61, reached the semi-finals of the WTA Tour occasion in Hobart final week and there was nothing to separate the pair within the second set till the Briton, who had been underneath extra stress on her serve, she broke to guide 5-Four.
However her composure wavered on the unsuitable time, with the 27-year-old double-faulting on her first match level after which making a backhand error on her second as Yuan broke again to stage.
Nonetheless, she didn’t dwell on the missed alternatives, profitable the primary 5 factors of the tie-break and taking her third match level to seal her first win in Melbourne since defeating Ekaterina Makarova in 2019.
Boulter additionally joined fellow Brits Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper within the second spherical.
Elena Rybakina saved three set factors in a good first set towards Karolina Pliskova, which went to a tie-break, she got here from 6-Three all the way down to win Eight-6.
Rybakina broke early within the second set and continued to carry her serve to win 7-6 (Eight-6) 6-Four and can face Anna Blinkova within the subsequent spherical.
Jelena Ostapenkothe 11th seed, stormed previous Australian wild card Kimberly Birrell in straight units, profitable 7-6 (7-5) 6-1.
The Latvian served 5 aces and 28 winners whereas committing 35 unforced errors as she completed the match in 100 minutes.
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