ROME — Emma Raducanu continued her promising progress on clay with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Swiss lucky loser Jil Teichmann in the second round of the Italian Open, signaling her growing comfort on the surface despite admitting she is still "finding her feet."
The 2021 US Open champion, who has faced a series of injury setbacks since her breakthrough triumph, delivered a composed and aggressive performance against Teichmann, showcasing improved movement and tactical adaptability on the red dirt. Raducanu fired 20 winners and broke serve five times, capitalizing on her opponent’s inconsistent first serve (48% success rate).
A Work in Progress, But Progress Nonetheless
Despite the straightforward scoreline, Raducanu remained measured in her self-assessment. "I'm still finding my feet on clay—it's not my natural surface—but I'm happy with how I'm adapting," she said in her post-match interview. "Every match is a learning experience, and I'm just trying to build confidence."
Her performance highlighted several key improvements:
- Stronger baseline consistency, particularly on her forehand side
- Better anticipation in sliding and recovering on clay
- More aggressive net approaches, winning 8 of 10 points at the net
Overcoming Early Challenges
Raducanu’s clay-court season had a rocky start, with early exits in Stuttgart and Madrid. However, her recent collaboration with coach Nick Cavaday—who rejoined her team in April—appears to be paying dividends. "Nick has been great in helping me simplify my game and focus on the basics," she noted.
Teichmann, a left-hander with a strong clay-court pedigree, initially tested Raducanu with heavy topspin and angled shots. But the Brit adjusted swiftly, using her backhand slice effectively to disrupt rhythm. "I knew she’d make me move, so I tried to stay patient and pick my moments to attack," Raducanu explained.
Key Turning Points
The match swung decisively in Raducanu’s favor in the fifth game of the first set, where she saved two break points with bold winners before breaking Teichmann in the next game. She maintained momentum with:
- A 90% first-serve win rate in the opening set
- Dominance in extended rallies (winning 12 of 16 points over 5+ shots)
Looking Ahead
Next, Raducanu faces a sterner test against No. 29 seed Dayana Yastremska, who defeated her in Stuttgart last month. "She’s a great player, very explosive, so I’ll need to bring my best," Raducanu acknowledged.
With Roland Garros looming, her steady improvement on clay is timely. Former British No. 1 Laura Robson observed, "Emma’s movement and decision-making are getting sharper. If she stays healthy, she could surprise a few people in Paris."
Conclusion: A Step in the Right Direction
While Raducanu remains cautious about her clay-court ambitions, her performance in Rome suggests she is moving in the right direction. "It’s a process," she reiterated. "I’m not expecting miracles, but I’m putting in the work every day."
For now, fans can take encouragement from her resilience and adaptability. As she continues to refine her game on clay, each victory—like this one over Teichmann—adds another layer of confidence to her evolving career.