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Emma Raducanu had her blood pressure and heart-rate checked towards the end of the first set - Reuters/Gonzalo Fuentes
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An eventful three-setter found Emma Raducanu finishing strongly to overcome Wang Xinyu – her nearest neighbour on the ranking ladder – by a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 scoreline.
But there were concerns about Raducanu’s fitness again. Not only did her troublesome back take a while to warm up, but she needed a lengthy medical time-out towards the end of the first set in which she had her blood pressure and heart-rate checked.
The doctor seemed to prescribe her some pills, although we may have to wait for her post-match press conference to discover what was going on.
Raducanu struggled with her serve throughout this match, giving up seven breaks, and also took an unusually long time to find the timing on her backhand, which always used to be her go-to shot.
But the redeeming virtue was her forehand, which controlled many rallies with a happy combination of pace and topspin.
Clay-court tennis rewards a player who can shape the ball through the air with the forehand, and that’s exactly what Raducanu did. She claimed her fourth match point by virtue of a double-fault from Wang, which felt appropriate at the end of a match that featured 16 breaks in 31 games.
Full report to follow . . .
01:12 PM BST
Raducanu speaks after her first round victory
Speaking to TNT Sports:
On positives she can take:
On facing Iga Swiatek in the next round:
01:05 PM BST
Huge effort from Raducanu
There was very little insight from Raducanu on whatever issue caused her to call for the doctor at the end of the first set but the British No 2 admitted that she “was struggling from the start” and also said that she was pleased with the result given that she “wasn’t feeling energetic”.
It is all about the recovery now for Raducanu. After calling the doctor halfway through the second set and undergoing various tests. The British No 2 has a full day of rest tomorrow before she faces former world No 1 Iga Swiatek!
01:02 PM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 Wang*
Raducanu is sticking to her game plan and gets stuck into Wang’s serve – winning the first couple of points in the game.
An excellent return from the British No 2 and she sets up two more match points! Not the way you want to see this match end, as Wang double-faults.
What a comeback from Raducanu! Overcoming illness and being taken to a decider against a strong opponent.
The British No 2 wins in two hours and 45 minutes and is through to the second round where defending champion Iga Swiatek awaits.
Game, set and match – Raducanu!
12:59 PM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 4-6, 5-3 Wang
The British No 2 steps up to serve this match out at the first opportunity. It is a perfect start for British No 2, as she races ahead 30-0 up – with Wang hitting into the net.
Her opponent gets a look at Raducanu’s second serve but she cannot capitalise. Two match points for Raducanu! But fair play to Wang, she executes a delicious drop shot to keep this match alive.
Incredible! Wang produces her two best shots of the match to see off the first two match points! And from match point to a break point.
Hesitation from Raducanu earns Wang a second break point! The Chinese player’s drop shot pays off and she is hanging on.
12:52 PM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 4-6, 5-1 Wang*
Raducanu is getting some free-hitting on the Wang serve but the Chinese player holds to 15. Wang ettles her service game to force the British No 2 to try and see this game out.
Can Raducanu do it? If so, a showdown with defending champion Iga Swiatek awaits the British No 2 on Wednesday.
12:49 PM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 4-6, 5-1 Wang
Raducanu is using the drop shot against Wang so effectively today! The British No 2 disguises another one to go 30-15 up on serve and then Wang’s forehand return is long.
There seems to be no back issues for Raducanu has she races ahead to the second round. Victory is in sight for the British No 2.
12:42 PM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 4-6, 4-1 Wang*
Wang needs to build some momentum in this game! However, she is pegged back from a commanding 40-0 lead to deuce. The Chinese player nets her forehand – so it is break point to Raducanu.
Wang’s shot is long and the British No 2 re-establishes her double break cushion in this deciding set.
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Two breaks from 40-0 down in this match now from Raducanu. At 4-1 up, with two games from the “good” end to come, she’s well placed. Famous last words.
12:35 PM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 4-6, 3-1 Wang
Wang opens up a 30-0 lead with a sublime forehand winner before Raducanu replies with a backhand winner. The British No 2 makes a mistake – as she nets her volley.
The Chinese player has two break point opportunities. The British No 2 saves the first of them as Wang nets her forehand to send this game to deuce.
However, the Chinese player is awarded a third break point of the game as Raducanu gifts to her with a double fault.
12:30 PM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 4-6, 3-0 Wang*
Wang is struggling with serve – she double faults handing Raducanu two insurance points.
However, the Chinese player saves them both, but a third comes along in no time at all for the British No 2 and she takes it after another mistake from Wang.
Raducanu has fought back after her medical timeout to put herself in a brilliant position.
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Well that’s six games out of seven for Raducanu since she located her prodigal backhand, with the exception of when she got nervy on serve at 4-5. Meanwhile Xinyu is now rolling in her serve at quite a slow pace. She looks subdued at the moment.
12:25 PM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 4-6, 2-0 Wang
Raducanu is looking more assured in this deciding set. The Chinese edges ahead 15-30 up before the British No 2 fights back with sublime hitting.
The British No 2 makes a delicious drop shot from the baseline to consolidate her advantage in this deciding set.
12:20 PM BST
Third set: Raducanu 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 Wang*
The crowd on court No 8 is clearly favouring Raducanu by shouting “Let’s go Emma, let’s go”. Wang begins the deciding set by throwing in a double fault to hand the British No 2 three break points.
Raducanu appears to have found her consistency after a dip in energy levels halfway through the second set. A brilliant start for the British No 2.
12:12 PM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 4-6 Wang
Wang strikes long to hand over two game points to the British No 2. But the Chinese player recovers well and lands a sublime forehand to make it deuce.
Raducanu is unable to close out the game but sets up a another opportunity with a well-timed backhand in the corner.
Here we go, after a couple of misses – Wang has set point. Hang on a minute, the umpire is down off his chair and calls Raducanu’s shot in. Wang is disputing his call but there is no chance the umpire is changing his mind. So we will replay the point.
A frustrated Wang fires a forehand winner to win the second set. Despite, Raducanu’s comeback from 5-1 down, the British No 2 will be taken to a decider in her opening round at the French Open.
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Raducanu finally found her backhand at the low point there, trailing 5-1, and now she’s back on serve. Still a difficult game coming up, though, as she serves to stay in the set at 4-5 against the wind.
12:04 PM BST
Raducanu has got her mojo back
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Raducanu finally found her backhand at the low point there, trailing 5-1, and now she’s back on serve. Still a difficult game coming up, though, as she serves to stay in the set at 4-5 against the wind.
12:02 PM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 4-5 Wang*
Raducanu’s free-hitting approach has Wang rattled in this second set. The Briton lands a sublime forehand down the line to bring up two break points.
What a shift in momentum.Wang is able to serve the first but then Raducanu lands clean winner down the line to bring this back on serve.
From 5-1 to 5-4 – what a comeback from the British No 2. Every credit to Raducanu, who has forced her way back into this second set.
11:58 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 3-5 Wang
What a turnaround for Raducanu – she is certainly back in this game now! A poor miss from Wang and Raducanu races ahead 30-0 up.
The British No 2 is hitting the ball with such freedom now and makes her drive-volley to win the next point and then seals the game.
11:54 AM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 2-5 Wang*
Here we go! Raducanu might not be feeling great, but she is certainly going for her shots in this game. The British No 2 had one of the two breaks back – the British No 2 takes it with a clean forehand winner.
The British No 2 prevents the Chinese player from serving out the set at the first opportunity.
11:50 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 1-5 Wang
It seems the medical timeout is catching up with Raducanu.The British No 2 seems to be running low on energy at the moment.
The British No 2 is trying to go big and conserve a bit of energy by keeping the rallies the short. However, she goes down 30-0 and turns towards her mentor Jane O’Donoghue shaking her head.
The Chinese breaks for the second time in set two. She is certainly capitalising on Raducanu’s slight dip of form here – as she was gifted that game.
11:45 AM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 1-4 Wang*
Raducanu races ahead 0-30 up after a clean winner down the line. However, the British No 2’s forehand is too long but an unforced effort from Wang hands the Briton two break points.
However, Raducanu wastes both opportunities by netting both shots. Wang does very well to win that game after making multiple mistakes. The Chinese player has taken a commanding lead in this second set – Raducanu needs to start applying the pressure.
11:38 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 1-3 Wang
Wang is building momentum in this set. She capitalises on a poor drop shot from Raducanu and volleys home as she looks to go after the British No 2’s serve.
A sublime shot from the Chinese player! She is able to guide a backhand down the line for two break points. Right now, it is Wang making the early breakthrough in this second set.
11:34 AM BST
Raducanu 7-5, 1-2 Wang*
The Chinese player steadies herself after a series of mistakes in the previous game. She steadies herself with a rapid hold to serve to love.
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The wind is picking up and it’s going right down the court. If you’re the chair umpire, it’s going from your the right hand to your left hand. A lot of balls flying long with wind power… but if you’re serving with it, as Xinyu just did, it gives you some extra mph.
11:33 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-5, 1-1 Wang
A slight misread from Raducanu as she decides not to go after the Wang forehand despite it being in a rather central position. Wang takes the first points on the British No 2’s serve.
However., Raducanu brushes that off and after a series of mishits from the Chinese player. Raducanu eases to a comfortable hold. Honours even in this second set.
11:28 AM BST
Second set: Raducanu 7-5, 0-1 Wang*
That was a vital game for Wang to win as she attempts to regain some foothold in this match. After a lengthy rally with Raducanu, she recovers from a break point down to hold serve at the start of set two.
The Chinese player comes through that tight game but British No 2 is showing her intent.
11:22 AM BST
First set verdict
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A lot going on in that set! An entertaining watch, except for the long delay. It felt like Xinyu overpressed a bit. Meanwhile Raducanu played an uncharacteristic set in that her forehand was excellent but her backhand was wobbly: the opposite balance to the one we are used to seeing from her.
If she can start firing off both wings, she ought to be well placed … but then there’s the mysterious fitness issues to factor in.
11:17 AM BST
Raducanu* 7-5 Wang
Two solid serves from Raducanu to thunder into this game. She definitely looks solid physically. And now a looping, bouncy rally that Raducanu wins to give herself three set points.
Winner down the line. Holds serve to love. Wins the first set. Chapeau!
11:14 AM BST
Medical time-out called
Raducanu has been given something to put into her drink. Certainly a strange time to call for the medics, so you have to assume she was in considerable discomfort. She’s going to continue though. Here we go then, Raducanu serving for the first set...
11:08 AM BST
Raducanu calls for the trainer
Worrying. Now the doctor comes out. Raducanu appears to be dabbing something on her face. Now she’s having her blood pressure and temperature taken. This looks more illness than injury.
11:07 AM BST
Raducanu 6-5 Wang*
This match feels like it is opening up a bit. Both women look confident behind their first serve but shaky behind their second. Some more unforced errors creeping in too.
Raducanu earns herself a break point but can’t return. Back to deuce, then Raducanu again marches up on a second service – like Matthew Hayden charging England’s medium pacers in the Ashes of yesteryear (if you’ll pardon the comparison) – and breaks again. Again she’ll serve for the set.
11:02 AM BST
Raducanu* 5-5 Wang
Lovely disguise from Wang on the dropshot and again Raducanu doesn’t bother to run for it (not unreasonably). That’s 0-30 on the Raducanu serve. And 0-40 as a horrible unforced error as Raducanu dumps a backhand into the net with the court at her mercy.
Raducanu looking nervous in those first three points but nails a backhand winner, then a forehand winner down the other sideline to save two of the break points.
But now another shot into the net from Raducanu and the Briton is broken. All square.
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Quite a shift in tempo in second half of this set, with Xinyu seeming to decide that she needs to impose herself. She’s dominating the winner count over the last three games but the errors have increased in a similar proportion.
10:57 AM BST
Raducanu 5-4 Wang*
Wang comes to the net, leaves a Raducanu groundstroke....and watches in horror as it sails in. Doesn’t affect her though and she holds serve. Raducanu will have to serve to win this set.
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Raducanu is building momentum in this first set - Gonzalo Fuentes
10:52 AM BST
Raducanu* 5-3 Wang
Going into this game, Raducanu had won just two of eight points on her second serve but she picks up another here with a big-kicking delivery. And holds. Wang will serve to stay in the set.
10:47 AM BST
Raducanu 4-3 Wang*
Lots of support for Raducanu in the boondocks of Court 8 but she barely gets a sniff here as Wang holds to love, including an ace to round it off.
10:45 AM BST
Raducanu* 4-2 Wang 2
Two big screams of self-exhortation from Raducanu as her opponent’s unforced error moves this game to 30-30, then 40-30 in the Briton’s favour. Think both women know they’re in a battle here.
And now some vocals from Wang too as she takes this to deuce. Raducanu holds though – the first service hold from the headwind end of the court.
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10:39 AM BST
Raducanu 3-2 Wang*
Oh lovely ball-striking from Raducanu, with a forehand winner from deep behind the baseline. Now Raducanu throws up a high ball which Wang drives wide to give the Briton two break points. First gets snubbed out.
Raducanu steps halfway to the service line for a second-service return, dominates a short rally and breaks again.
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Raducanu is looking to move ahead in his first set - Julian Finney
10:35 AM BST
Raducanu* 2-2 Wang
Some varying pace on the ball now from Wang as she defends with Raducanu at 40-0. But Raducanu buys herself a short return with a serve out wide and holds. Quality tennis so far. Enjoying this.
10:32 AM BST
Raducanu 1-2 Wang*
Now the pair are sharing drop shots, each looking for a little sign of weakness in these opening stages. Wang holds serve with a real doozy of a backhand drop shot that Raducanu doesn’t even run for. I mean, she had no chance of getting there but you can’t help but wonder if Raducanu does want to “manage” her back injury (see her pre-match comments) by not running for balls she doesn’t have a hope of getting to.
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Wang is known for her strong ground-strokes and power - CHRISTOPHE PETIT
10:26 AM BST
Raducanu* 1-1 Wang
Ha! Raducanu gets a dose of her own medicine at 30-0 when Wang obliterates a second serve. Two players with very similar styles here. And an immediate chance for Wang to break back.
Raducanu snuffs out that danger with a unreturable serve out wide to the backhand side but more flat, deep groundstrokes from the Chinese buy her another break point and Raducanu coughs up a double fault. Honours even.
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10:20 AM BST
Raducanu 1-0 Wang* (*denotes server)
Wow! Wang gives up a point to a foot-fault, which she looked absolutely horrified at. She recovers her composure with a couple of very solid first serves and a thumping backhand follow-up. First time I’ve watched Wang and she’s clearly a classical big-hitting hardcourt player.
Raducanu takes this to deuce though, three times, with her own powerful forehand. She’s also climbing into the second serve – returning well inside the baseline. And a break of serve for the Briton. Cracking first game, sonically and metaphorically.
10:12 AM BST
Players warming up
Raducanu in a remarkably Wimbledon-style all-white outfit, her opponent in Darth Vader all-black.
This pair have met only once, in Linz in 2021. The Chinese won that one in three sets.
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10:06 AM BST
Raducanu on prospect of Murray tie-up
Raducanu is still in the middle of a creditable clay-court season in which she reached the fourth round of Rome. While her game might be better suited to grass than clay, her relative unfamiliarity with the surface has actually worked in her favour in recent tournaments. The absence of expectation has allowed her to swing freely and attack her opponents with gusto.
Mark Petchey is in Paris this week, along with Raducanu’s friend and mentor Jane O’Donoghue and hitting partner Tom Welsh. But Petchey is a broadcaster before he is a coach, and is part of the TNT commentary team during this tournament. It’s only during the grass-court season that he will be able to give Raducanu priority.
Raducanu did seem to leave the door open for a potential coaching tie-up with Andy Murray, despite their row at last year’s Wimbledon.
“I think he would give great advice,” Raducanu said. “He’s been in a similar situation [to Raducanu herself] and would probably understand a lot of things that I’m also going through.”
Read more on Raducanu and her potential future coaches in this read from Simon Briggs in Paris.
10:01 AM BST
From our man in Paris
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09:59 AM BST
‘My back is not 100 %’
Some pre-match thoughts from Raducanu on TNT Sport
On her opponent
“I thought it was a tough draw. She’s very aggressive an on her day, when the balls go in it’s difficult to deal with.”
On her back injury
“My back is not 100%. I’m managing it. I had a spasm and I’m just trying to deal with it.”
On working with new coach Mark Petchey
“My forehand has improved a lot since Miami and it’s been a very quick turnaround [from the hardcourt season] I think every aspect of my game has improved in the past six weeks.”
09:53 AM BST
Two ranking places between them
Emma Raducanu opens her French Open campaign today against Wang Xinyu, China’s world No 43. The Briton is just two places higher in the standings, so this ought to be interesting.
The key question may be how strong Raducanu’s back is after her obvious trouble with it during her most recent match. Prior to that, her clay-court form had been very promising.
Welcome to day two at Roland Garros.
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