Emma Radukanu overcame service issues to upset 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old joked that her serve “had a mind of its own” as she hit 15 double faults but recorded her best win in a lopsided match at Melbourne Park, defeating 31st-ranked Russian Alexandrova 7-6 (7-. 4) 7-6 (7-2).
With Radukanu’s win, five British players advanced to the second round, equaling the record here with British No. 1 Katie Boulter still to come.
Radukanu entered the season feeling the effects of back spasms that forced him out of the opening tournament in Auckland, while he missed two months late last year with a leg injury, so this was a good physical test.
The 22-year-old has worked with coach Nick Kavaday to improve his serve, but it’s certainly not the finished article.
“I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today,” said Raducanu, who was playing outdoors for the first time since Seoul in September.
“I think in the first set I was hitting a couple of aces. At the same time, I was taking it a lot. “Okay, I’m going for it at least.”
Radukanu’s enduring popularity was evidenced by the long queues outside Court 3 as the match kicked off under cloudless Melbourne skies.
The former US Open champion’s serve is steady and her first two service games saw her produce five aces and four double faults.
From there, the balance tipped to the downside and heading into the tiebreak he was winning less than 10 percent of his second serve points while his double-fault tally reached nine, including three in one game at 4-4.
Alexandrova, a big-ball attacker with a relentless negative demeanor, broke serve four times in a row, but holding her own serve was just as difficult as Radukanu’s return game was in fine form.
In the tiebreak, Radukanu trailed from 4-2 to 4-4, but won only his third point of the set at the crucial second serve, thanks to a volleyed return in the corner to clinch the set.
Radukanu appeared to have settled on serve and another break from his opponent gave the Brit an immediate lead in the second set.
He survived three more double faults at 3-2, turning to coach Nick Kavaday for advice, and was broken at 4-3, but took the lead again, leaving him to serve for the match.
At 30-0, she was two points away but failed to set up a point and another double fault put Alexandrova back on serve.
Radukanu then had to save a set point to force a tie-break, but was almost flawless from there, the only blemish being a final double fault on his first game point.
“My goal this year is not to be too high or too low. Even after today, it’s great to win a tour game for the first time in months. I just want to look at it for what it is. and just kind of move,” he said.
“It was good to be able to rely on other parts of my game today, which I know are pretty strong as well,” added Radukanu, who also served nine aces.
“I’m just proud that I didn’t let it affect me too much and let the game get away from me.”
Radukanu next faces the teenage prodigy Amanda Anisimovawho took time off for her mental health after reaching the semifinals of the 2019 French Open.
“I know he’s a great striker,” Radukanu said.
“I had the experience of having some teething problems with it and then being able to come back and fix it for the next match. I’m looking forward to getting back on the court tomorrow and working on it.”
Norrie fails to add to British success in Melbourne
Cameron Nori lost to Matteo Berettini in the first round
Cameron Norrie was unable to add to the British wins, losing in the opening round to former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berettini.
No.2 has been a tough draw for the Briton, with Berettini a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park three years ago and climbing back up the rankings after injury problems.
The Italian hit 32 aces and recovered from a set down to win 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 6-1 6-3.
Nori saved a set point at 5-6 in the opener before making a fine comeback in the tie-break, winning six points in a row for 4-1.
But the pressure on his serve from there saw Berretini take five of 13 break points in the last three sets, while Nori failed to convert any of his five chances in the match.
Nori, who will be out of the top 60 after last year’s fourth-round exit, cheated on the timing, saying: “I haven’t been able to prepare as well as I could have.
“I was pretty sick in Oakland (last week). I barely got a feel for the ball, to be honest. It was a bit of a pain in the ass.”
“Definitely gave myself the best chance. Just hit the wall after an hour and a bit. It’s a little disappointing. Just get my health back to 100 percent.”
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