Emma Raducanu overcame a slow start to defeat Manachaya Sawangkaew 6-4 6-1 at the Australian Open.
The British number one was playing her third tournament of the season and was aiming to win her second match of the year.
However, Raducanu had a slow start to the match and went down an early break to Sawangkaew who was playing some inspired tennis.
There were some scares as Raducanu narrowly avoided going a double break down with the Brit needing to raise her level in order to progress to the next round.
At 4-2 down that’s exactly what Raducanu did as she won 10 of the next 11 games, playing some ruthless tennis along the way.
After the match Raducanu was happy with her performance and revealed what she did to adapt to such a late start time, “I feel very happy to have got through that match, from the beginning I felt like she was playing incredibly well and all of her returns and shots seemed to be dropping on the baseline or an inch from and it made life really difficult. I’m really proud how I fought back in the first set,” Raducanu was quoted by BBC Sport as saying in her on court interview.
“The preparation started yesterday – I booked a court from 21:15 to 23:15 and it was the latest I’ve ever practised just to get used to it. It’s different to the day – it’s a lot slower and colder, the ball doesn’t travel as much through the air or as high bouncing. I got used to it a bit yesterday and I’m really happy I did that. It’s a different one because you need to switch on at the right time but not too early so you don’t expend too much energy.
“I had a potter around Melbourne this morning by the river, had a nap, came out and the atmosphere was electric. I want to thank everyone for staying out so late. The support was incredible on both sides.”
Next up for Raducanu will be Anastasia Potapova after she defeated Suzan Lamens in a tight three set contest.
Should Raducanu defeat Potapova then the British number one will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third round in a repeat of their matches at Wimbledon and Cincinnati.
