Raducanu Advances to Italian Open Third Round Amid Opponent Changes

Emma Raducanu advanced to the second round of the Italian Open after a tough three-set victory over Australian qualifier Maya Joint, enduring nearly three hours in challenging conditions. Raducanu struggled to close out the match early, facing a second-set tiebreak loss and needing multiple attempts to secure the win, but ultimately rallied to a 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 triumph. The 22-year-old Brit was initially preparing to face Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round, but Alexandrova withdrew due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by lucky loser Jil Teichmann. Raducanu adapted quickly to the late opponent change, dominating Teichmann 6-2, 6-2 to reach the third round. Despite battling a cold and the unfamiliarity of clay courts, Raducanu showed resilience and an aggressive playing style, aiming to impose her game and build confidence on the surface. Her progress marks a positive step forward in her return to form after previous early exits in Rome.