Emma Raducanu survives Stephens test on debut; Medvedev in Rd 2

MELBOURNE, January 18

Britain’s teenage sensation Emma Raducanu cleared a dangerous first-round hurdle at the Australian Open, seeing off experienced American Sloane Stephens 6-0 2-6 6-1 in a topsy-turvy contest today.

Raducanu, who rocketed to fame in September with a fairytale run to the US Open title as a qualifier without dropping a set in what was only her fourth senior tournament, raced through the opening set in 17 minutes, leaking only four points.

But former world No. 3 Stephens found her rhythm and range to take charge of the second set from 2-2, reeling off four games as errors began creeping in to 17th seed Raducanu’s game.

It looked ominous at that point for the 19-year-old Raducanu whose build-up to her Australian Open debut had hardly been ideal, having had Covid-19 and suffering a heavy defeat in her opening match in Sydney.

But she showed the same coolness under pressure that swept her to the title in New York, settling down and finding another gear to dominate the decider with some precision baseline hitting as Stephens unravelled again.

“It was a tough match-up for a first round, her athleticism is right up there, so I’m just happy to get through,” Raducanu said.

Economical Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev conserved his energy after his shortest ever off-season with an efficient 6-1 6-4 7-6(3) win over Swiss battler Henri Laaksonen.

US Open champion Medvedev, favoured to win the title at Melbourne Park following Novak Djokovic’s deportation, had only 14 days’ rest at the end of 2021 before firing up for Russia’s run to the ATP Cup semifinals this month. The cramped tennis schedule has been a bugbear for players for years, with many complaining of the physical toll. “It’s impossible, and yes, it’s definitely not enough (off-season),” he said. — Reuters

Day 2: highlights

FERNANDEZ FALLS

Leylah Fernandez, who was runner-up to Emma Raducanu at the US Open last year, was stunned 6-4 6-2 by Australian wildcard Maddison Inglis.

Murray returns

Five-time runner-up Andy Murray, who accepted a wildcard to play in Melbourne for the first time since 2019 after lengthy injury layoffs, beat 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7(5) 6-4.

HALEP DOWNS FRECH

Former Australian Open finalist Simona Halep moved into the second round with a 6-4 6-3 win over Magdalena Frech.

Good day for SWIATEK

Former French Open champion Iga Swiatek overcame a slow start to cruise into the second round with a 6-3 6-0 win over Harriet Dart.

MUGURUZA got moves

Third seed Garbine Muguruza got her campaign underway with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Clara Burel.

Sabalenka the storm

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a set down to beat local hope Storm Sanders 5-7 6-3 6-2.

KYRGIOS vs medvedev

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios beat Briton Liam Broady 6-4 6-4 6-3 to set up a Round two match with Daniil Medvedev.