Emma Raducanu returns to action with victory over Elise Mertens at Washington Open | Tennis News

Emma Raducanu made a profitable return to motion on the Mubadala Metropolis DC Open in Washington as she defeated Belgium’s Elise Mertens in three units.

The 21-year-old gained the opening-round contest towards the eighth seed 6-2 3-6 6-4.

Raducanu continues to be managing her comeback after wrist and ankle surgical procedure and turned down the invitation to characterize Group GB on the Olympic Video games as a result of she didn’t need to change again to taking part in on clay at Roland Garros forward of the forthcoming US Open, opting to play on this event as a substitute.

The 2021 US Open champion had gained her solely earlier conflict with Mertens at Wimbledon earlier this month for the lack of solely three video games and regarded on the right track for the same outcome as she gained 5 straight video games to brush by way of the primary set.

However Mertens fought again within the second set, slicing down on the errors and benefiting from her solely break of serve to degree the match after the previous British No 1 had led 40-0 within the sixth sport.

Raducanu broke early within the remaining set, however couldn’t profit from a 3-1 lead as Mertens broke again and saved two break factors to degree 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, Raducanu shifting to match level with a backhand volley and sealing the win courtesy of Mertens’ eleventh double fault.

“I believe getting by way of first rounds are all the time tough. I believe first rounds are all about getting by way of them and looking for a method to work your method into the event and I am very pleased with that,” Raducanu mentioned.

“I believe I am simply most pleased with my mentality and character immediately.

“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. I misplaced some focus within the second.

“It isn’t simple taking part in at 11.30. I obtained right here Thursday evening so I am nonetheless jet-lagged.”

However she added: “I used to be telling myself, ‘I am not leaving. This isn’t taking place. You are not shedding this match’.”

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• Mubadala Citi DC Open (ATP/WTA 500) 29 July-August 4
• Nationwide Financial institution Open, Montreal (ATP 1000) 6-12 August
• Nationwide Financial institution Open, Toronto (WTA 1000) 6-12 August
• Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – 12-19 August
• Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – 13-19 August
• Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – 18-24 August

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