EASTBOURNE — Emma Raducanu overcame an early scare to secure a hard-fought victory in her opening match at the Eastbourne International, defeating Sloane Stephens 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. The British star, who has been battling injuries and inconsistent form, showed flashes of her 2021 US Open-winning brilliance but also raised concerns about her fitness ahead of Wimbledon.
A Rocky Start for Raducanu
Raducanu struggled initially against the experienced Stephens, dropping the first set 4-6. The American, a former US Open champion herself, capitalized on Raducanu's unforced errors and tentative serving. "I was a bit slow out of the blocks," Raducanu admitted in her post-match interview. "Sloane was playing really well, and I needed time to adjust."
The match statistics highlighted Raducanu's early struggles:
- First serve percentage: Just 48% in the opening set
- Unforced errors: 15 in the first set alone
- Break points converted: 1/4 in set one
The Turning Point
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second set as Raducanu began finding her rhythm. She broke Stephens' serve twice and improved her first serve percentage to 68%. "I started being more aggressive," Raducanu explained. "I knew I had to take control of the points earlier."
Key Improvements
Raducanu's coach, Nick Cavaday, was seen giving emphatic instructions during the changeovers, and the adjustments clearly paid off:
- Increased depth on groundstrokes
- More variety in serve placement
- Better movement and court coverage
Wimbledon Concerns Linger
Despite the victory, questions remain about Raducanu's physical condition ahead of Wimbledon. She appeared to receive treatment on her left ankle during the second set and was seen flexing her wrist between points. "It's nothing serious," she assured reporters. "Just normal wear and tear from competing again after some time off."
Tennis analysts have expressed concern about Raducanu's ability to withstand the rigors of a Grand Slam:
- Has played just 15 matches in 2024 due to injuries
- Withdrawn from three tournaments this year
- Yet to complete back-to-back tournaments since January
Looking Ahead
Raducanu will face either second seed Jessica Pegula or fellow Briton Harriet Dart in the next round. A deep run at Eastbourne could provide crucial match practice before Wimbledon begins on July 1. "Every match is important for me right now," Raducanu said. "I'm just happy to be competing and building my confidence."
The Eastbourne tournament represents Raducanu's first grass-court event of the season. Her performance here could be indicative of her Wimbledon prospects:
- Best Wimbledon result: 4th round (2021)
- Withdrawn from Wimbledon 2023 due to wrist surgery
- Currently ranked No. 168, needing wildcard for Wimbledon
Expert Opinions
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman offered cautious optimism: "When Emma's moving well and timing the ball, she can compete with anyone. The question is whether her body can hold up through multiple matches. That's what we'll be watching closely this week."
Sports medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Jarvis noted: "Raducanu's injury history suggests she may need to manage her schedule carefully. The transition from clay to grass is particularly demanding on the body, and she's coming in with limited match play."
Conclusion
While Raducanu's victory demonstrated her trademark fighting spirit, the match revealed ongoing challenges. Her ability to recover between matches and maintain consistency will be crucial as she prepares for Wimbledon. For now, British tennis fans can take heart in seeing their former US Open champion battle through adversity on home soil.
As the Eastbourne tournament progresses, all eyes will be on:
- Raducanu's physical condition
- Her ability to maintain improved serving percentages
- Potential matchups against higher-ranked opponents
With Wimbledon just days away, Raducanu's performance this week could either alleviate concerns or heighten them. For the moment, she's taking it one match at a time. "I'm not thinking about Wimbledon yet," she insisted. "Right now, I'm just focused on recovering and preparing for my next match here."