PARIS — Emma Raducanu secured a hard-fought victory in her French Open first-round match against qualifier Renata Zarazúa, setting up a thrilling second-round clash with world No. 1 Iga Świątek. The British star, playing in her first Roland Garros since 2022, overcame a mid-match scare to triumph 6-3, 6-4 in a match that tested her resilience on clay.
Raducanu, who entered the tournament as a wildcard after missing last year’s edition due to injury, showcased flashes of her trademark aggression but also faced moments of uncertainty. The 21-year-old struggled with her serve at times, landing just 48% of first serves, and needed a medical timeout for a back issue late in the second set. Despite the hiccups, she closed out the match with a decisive forehand winner, celebrating with visible relief.
A Scare Midway Through
The match took a concerning turn when Raducanu, leading 4-2 in the second set, suddenly clutched her lower back after a serve. She called for the physio and received treatment courtside, sparking fears of another injury setback. However, she returned to court and held serve, though her movement appeared slightly restricted afterward. "I just felt a bit of stiffness," Raducanu explained post-match. "It’s something I’ve been managing, but I was able to play through it."
Zarazúa, ranked 98th in the world, capitalized on Raducanu’s discomfort, breaking back to level the set at 4-4. The Mexican qualifier, making her main-draw debut at Roland Garros, fought valiantly but ultimately couldn’t sustain her momentum. Raducanu broke again in the ninth game before serving out the match, sealing victory in one hour and 42 minutes.
Swiatek Looms as Ultimate Test
The win sets up a blockbuster second-round encounter with Świątek, the three-time French Open champion and current world No. 1. The Polish star demolished qualifier Leolia Jeanjean 6-1, 6-2 in just 61 minutes, extending her Roland Garros winning streak to 15 matches. Świątek has dominated Raducanu in their previous meetings, winning both in straight sets—most recently at Indian Wells earlier this year.
Raducanu acknowledged the challenge ahead: "Iga is an incredible player, especially on clay. She’s the favorite, but I’ll go out there and give it my all. It’s a great opportunity to test myself against the best." The Brit holds a 6-4 record on clay this season, her most consistent stretch since her 2021 US Open triumph.
Key Takeaways from Raducanu’s Performance
Despite the victory, Raducanu’s match highlighted areas for improvement:
- Serve Consistency: Her first-serve percentage (48%) must improve against Świątek.
- Back Concerns: The medical timeout raises questions about her physical readiness.
- Mental Resilience: She regrouped well after Zarazúa’s late surge.
What’s Next?
The Raducanu-Świątek clash is scheduled for Wednesday on Court Philippe-Chatrier. While Świątek is heavily favored, Raducanu’s aggressive baseline game could pose problems if she maintains consistency. "Emma has nothing to lose," said former British No. 1 Tim Henman. "If she serves well and takes risks, she can make it interesting."
For Raducanu, the match represents another step in her comeback from multiple surgeries and a ranking drop to No. 212. A strong showing against Świątek could signal her return to top-tier contention. Meanwhile, Świątek remains focused on a fourth French Open title: "Every match is a new challenge. I’ll prepare the same way."
The tennis world will be watching closely as these two stars collide in what promises to be a captivating battle under the Parisian sun.