Emma Raducanu Wins Australian Open First Round

Emma Raducanu began her 2025 Australian Open campaign with a challenging victory against Ekaterina Alexandrova, winning 7-6 (4), 6-2 despite struggling with her serve and recording 15 double faults. Raducanu, who has faced injury setbacks since her 2021 U.S. Open triumph, acknowledged the difficulties of her first match back but emphasized her determination to overcome these challenges. She expressed pride in her resilience and ability to perform under pressure, particularly in tiebreak situations, where she regained her composure to secure the win. Raducanu's next matchup will be against Amanda Anisimova, who has recently returned from a mental health break. While her serve posed issues throughout the match, Raducanu remained optimistic about her performance and future prospects in the tournament. The British player highlighted the importance of focusing and channeling nerves into excitement during high-stakes matches.