Emma Raducanu has made a winning start to her Wimbledon campaign – a year after she burst onto the tennis scene at SW19.
The British women’s number one and reigning US Open champion successfully got past in-form Belgian, Alison Van Uytvanck, in straight sets in what was her Centre Court debut.
The 19-year-old tennis star, who had been in a race against time to be fit after suffering a side strain earlier this month, won her round one clash 6-4 6-4.
Fellow Briton Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, was up next on Centre Court, facing Australian James Duckworth.
Live updates as Murray in action
In her on-court interview, 10th seed Raducanu said: “I know Alison’s an extremely tricky opponent, she’s had great results on grass.
“I played her last summer and on grass where the balls stay so low it’s extremely tricky to neutralise such a great serve.
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“I’m extremely pleased to have come through that match and looking forward to hopefully playing in front of you guys again.”
On the support she has received, the British teenager said: “I’ve been feeling it ever since I stepped on to the practice courts, people behind me going, ‘Emma you’ve got this’. And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ve got this’.
“I’m just so happy to stay another day.”
Raducanu took the first set against the dangerous Belgian who had warmed up with two second-tier tournament victories on grass.
In a match low on consistent quality but with moments of drama, Raducanu also broke her opponent in the second set for a 5-4 lead before serving out strongly to book her round two spot.
As a wildcard in 2021, she reached the fourth round of the grass court slam before retiring from the match due to breathing difficulties.
This year, Wimbledon has barred Russian and Belarusian players in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The move meant stars including men’s world number one Daniil Medvedev and women’s number five Aryna Sabalenka are out of the running.
