Emma Raducanu has admitted that she 'doesn't feel great' after overcoming Wang Xinyu at the French Open on Monday.
The tennis star booked her place in the second round of the Grand Slam with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory at Roland Garros.
Raducanu, in the first set, required medical attention with the 22-year-old's temperature and blood pressure taken.
She was eventually able to play on, and reign supreme, to set up a mouthwatering showdown with Iga Swiatek in the next round.
Emma Raducanu has admitted that she 'doesn't feel great' after overcoming Wang Xinyu at the French Open on Monday
REUTERS
Speaking to TNT Sports, Raducanu admitted she didn't feel she was at the peak of her powers. She said: "I don't feel great.
"I would have felt worse had I have lost that match but I was really struggling from the start.
"She was a tough opponent. She can really take the racket out of your hand and I was really just flat but happy to find a way.
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"The opening rounds are never easy and I haven't been here in three years so I think it was just a combination of a lot of things but happy to have got through."
Raducanu could have been forgiven for feeling frustrated when Wang won the second set to force a decider.
She was pleased with how she performed, however, with her opponent powerless to prevent her reaching the next stage of the competition.
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Emma Raducanu was able to play on in her French Open win over Wang Xinyu
REUTERS
"It was extremely important [to regain the momentum]. I wasn't exactly feeling very energetic so I knew I had to start well because that would give myself the best chances to keep fighting and keep going for every point," she continued.
"I just managed to get a good feed so when I lost serve at the end it wasn't the end of the world but happy to have broken.
"I can take positives. I'm sure a lot of top champions, top players have saved match points, really struggled, but they've given themselves another opportunity in the draw despite how they're feeling. I think that's a big quality and not necessarily easy to teach.
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"A shot is easier to work on where as character, heart and fight really came through today and I'm very proud of that."
Raducanu will effectively have a free hit when she locks horns with Swiatek on Wednesday.
The Pole has established herself as the Queen of Clay in recent years, having won the French Open on three separate occasions.
Emma Raducanu will face Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open
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Raducanu is relishing the chance to face Swiatek, however. She said: "I'm very happy to have given myself another chance in the draw.
"I felt the noise around the match before even playing the first round so I'm looking forward to going out there with not much pressure on me.
"I think my game is in a pretty good place, so good challenge."
