Emma Raducanu has described her hard-fought win over Camila Osorio as very difficult after play was halted several times due to weather conditions.
Securing her opening victory of 2026 at the Hobart International, the British number one rallied from a precarious position.
The 23-year-old top seed triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (2) against the Colombian wildcard.
It marked her first competitive win since defeating Cristina Bucsa at the China Open on September 27 last year - a gap of 109 days.
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Raducanu found herself trailing 4-2 in the second set before mounting an impressive comeback, eventually sealing the match in a dominant tie-break performance in Tasmania.
Heavy rain in Tasmania had forced play to be suspended on Tuesday evening.
Raducanu had claimed the opening set but found herself a break down in the second.
When action resumed on Wednesday, the former US Open champion returned to court serving at deuce and immediately applied pressure on her opponent.
Emma Raducanu has described her hard-fought win over Camila Osorio as very difficult
|GETTY
The world number 29 demonstrated her fighting qualities by converting her fourth break point opportunity when Osorio was serving at 5-4, denying the 82nd-ranked Colombian the chance to level the match.
Though Osorio managed to extend proceedings to a tie-break, Raducanu maintained control throughout to close out victory.
Reflecting on the challenging encounter, Raducanu told reporters: "Very, very difficult match.
"We played under all conditions and coming on, coming off a few times, it was really difficult."
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The British number one rallied from a precarious position.
|GETTY
She added: "I don't think I've slept over many matches in between so that was also a new one for me.
"I thought Camila played an incredible match overall.
"Such good defence, and then stepped in when I dropped the ball short.
"I'm just really pleased with how I came out today and turned it around."
Raducanu maintained control throughout to close out victory
|GETTY
Raducanu will not need to take to the court for a second-round clash, as Poland's Magdalena Frech has withdrawn from the tournament due to a left thigh injury.
The British player therefore progresses directly to the quarter-finals, where she will meet Australian wildcard Taylah Preston on Thursday.
This was only Raducanu's second competitive outing of 2026, following her defeat to Maria Sakkari at the United Cup - a match that came shortly after she resumed practice following a foot injury that disrupted her pre-season preparations.
The Australian Open, where Raducanu will be seeded 28th, commences in Melbourne on Sunday.
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