Emma Raducanu battled through personal distress to secure an emotional first-round victory at Eastbourne yesterday, defeating American Ann Li 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1.
The British no 1 revealed she had received "some really bad news" before taking to the court, which affected her mental state during the opening set.
Despite trailing by a set and a break, the 22-year-old mounted an impressive comeback, winning 10 of the last 12 games to complete victory in two hours and 18 minutes.
Raducanu held back tears after clinching the match with a backhand winner, later thanking the crowd for their support during "sticky moments".
Emma Raducanu revealed she had received 'some really bad news' before taking to court on Tuesday
Reuters
The match began in challenging, blustery conditions on the south coast, with Raducanu recovering from a 3-0 deficit in the opening set before ultimately losing the tie-break 7-5.
She slipped at the back of court in the 11th game of the first set, requiring a leg stretch.
Li maintained her momentum by breaking serve immediately in the second set, but Raducanu broke back in the following game.
JUST IN: Roger Federer, 43, reveals plan for Wimbledon return and leaks Andy Murray news
The British no 1 struggled to hold back tears after her win
Reuters
After saving four break points, Raducanu secured a crucial break to lead 4-2, then restored her advantage at 5-3 following another exchange of breaks.
This proved the turning point as Raducanu's level soared, dominating the remainder of the match.
"I'd prefer to not go in to it, if that's OK, but I just received some really bad news so I'm trying to overcome that in the background," Raducanu told BBC Sport.
She admitted she "wasn't really present" mentally during the first set.
READ MORE: Liam Delap scores first Chelsea goal as Enzo Maresca’s side qualify for next round of Club World Cup
Billie Jean King Cup team-mate Fran Jones provided crucial courtside support, with Raducanu explaining: "Fran Jones was there for me because she's a good friend of mine, so she knows what's going on behind the scenes. Having her support me was so meaningful.
"I'm really proud of how I fought back after losing the first set. I’m very, very happy to come through that."
“It was tough, it was up and down, but from the middle of the second set I think I found another gear and another level."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
The match provided perfect provided perfect Wimbledon preparation for Emma Raducanu
Reuters
The world number 38 is building towards her fourth Wimbledon appearance, where she has twice reached the fourth round since her 2021 debut.
She missed last week's Berlin Open whilst managing a back issue that has troubled her since competing in Strasbourg before the French Open.
The 2021 US Open champion regained the British No 1 ranking for the first time in two years this month following her quarter-final run at Queen's Club.
Raducanu now faces 19-year-old Australian Maya Joint in today's second round, with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals.
Wimbledon begins on 30 June.
Most Read
