Emma Raducanu has made a triumphant return to clay, defeating Suzan Lamens 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 to advance to the second round of the Madrid Open.
The British No 2 secured her first clay-court victory in over a year with the hard-fought straight-sets win over the Dutch No 1.
Raducanu, 22, had not won a match in Madrid since 2022, having withdrawn from the 2023 tournament for surgery and suffering a first-round exit last year.
The world No 49 showed impressive resilience throughout the contest.
Emma Raducanu roared with glee after winning the first round of the Madrid Open
PA
Raducanu demonstrated her fighting spirit by coming back from a break down in both sets against Lamens.
In the first set, the Dutchwoman broke to lead 3-2, but Raducanu quickly levelled the score.
The Brit saved three more break points later in the set before clinching it in a tiebreak.
The pattern repeated in the second set, with Lamens taking an early lead only for Raducanu to break back immediately.
After trading breaks again at 4-4, the former US Open champion won the final two games to secure victory on her first match point.
The victory was particularly impressive given Lamens' recent form on clay.
The world No 73 had already claimed notable scalps this season, defeating British No 1 Katie Boulter and Germany's Tatjana Maria at the BJK Cup earlier this month.
Lamens also reached the semi-finals at last week's WTA 250 event in Rouen.
During that run, she upset 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and second seed Linda Noskova.
This strong recent record makes Raducanu's composed performance all the more significant as she builds momentum on the clay surface.
Suzan Lamens is renowned for her form on clay
PA
Throughout the match, Raducanu was seen communicating with her box, where Mark Petchey and Jane O'Donoghue were seated courtside.
Petchey, who previously helped Raducanu at last month's Miami Open, is working with her again in Madrid in an informal capacity.
"We haven't made anything formal. It's pretty informal for now but is something that's going really well," Raducanu told Sky Sports before the tournament.
"He's someone I feel I can trust because I've known him so long. For now it's working really well."
Emma Raducanu was being advised by Mark Petchey
PA
The Brit has been without a full-time coach since parting ways with Nick Cavaday in January.
Raducanu will now face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in the second round, with the 24th seed having received a bye.
The pair have met twice before, with their head-to-head record standing at one win apiece.
Notably, Raducanu defeated Kostyuk in Madrid three years ago in straight sets.
She'll be hoping to replicate that success as she continues her clay-court campaign.
The British star appears to be finding form at the right time, with her trademark determination on full display in this opening victory.
