EMMA RADUCANU kept up her exceptional record at grand slam events as she dispatched fellow US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first round of the Australian Open.
The 19-year-old has struggled for form since her triumph in New York back in September but claimed a 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 victory over the world number 67.
It now means the British star has won 11 of the 12 grand slam matches she has played in her career thus far.
Raducanu had a disrupted break after a battle with Covid-19 and had lost in straight sets in the first round to Rybakina at last week’s Sydney International.
She was back on form here though as she lost just four points in a first set that was admittedly woeful from Stephens.
The American hit error after error, giving Raducanu numerous opportunities for winners in a set that lasted just 17 minutes.
Stephens hit her stride in the second set though which set up a first ever decider at this level for Raducanu.
She could not have handled it any better, striking the ball with confidence and claiming victory after an hour and 45 minutes.
The American looked a star in the making when she reached the semi-finals in Australia nine years ago but she has struggled to consistently hit those same heights since other than her US Open win in 2017.
If there was evidence here of Raducanu’s greenness, there was also plenty of the prodigious ball-striking that wowed fans and players alike at Wimbledon and the US Open, and the competitive steel that was just as important in her success.
At one point, she broke Stephens to lead 2-0 and then overcame an embarrassing moment when she thought she had won the next game only to be told it was only 40-15.
Raducanu said: “I think both me and Sloane really put everything out there and gave it all we had.
“I thought it was a really high-quality match with some really long rallies.
“I’m very happy to have come through against such a great champion like her.”
The US Open champion will now face Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the second round.
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