Emma Raducanu fights off jet lag for late-night Washington win over Elise Mertens | Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu fought off jet lag to beat Elise Mertens in three units within the opening spherical of the Washington Open.

The 21-year-old British No 3 received 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 towards the eighth-seeded Belgian in a match that completed after 11pm within the US capital.

Raducanu received their solely earlier match, at Wimbledon earlier this month, for the lack of solely three video games and regarded heading in the right direction for the same outcome as she received 5 straight video games to brush by means of the primary set, earlier than feeling the results of her journey to the US.

“I used to be taking part in some fairly good tennis in patches all through, particularly within the first set and moments within the third set,” she stated. “I misplaced some focus within the second. It’s not straightforward taking part in at 11.30. I acquired right here Thursday night time so I’m nonetheless jet lagged. I used to be telling myself, ‘I’m not leaving. This isn’t taking place. You’re not shedding this match’”’

Mertens fought again within the second set, reducing down on errors and taking advantage of her solely break of serve to stage the match after the previous US Open champion had led 40-0 within the sixth sport.

Raducanu broke early within the remaining set, however couldn’t benefit from a 3-1 lead as Mertens broke again and saved two break factors to stage at 3-3. Raducanu saved 5 break factors of her personal earlier than breaking once more, just for Mertens to strike again within the subsequent sport because the Briton served for the match.

However it solely delayed the result, with Raducanu transferring to match level with a backhand volley and sealing the win courtesy of Mertens’s eleventh double fault.