Emma Raducanu passed her first Australian Open test on Tuesday, defeating Sloane Stephens in three sets, 6-0, 2-6, 6-1.
The win gives the 17th seed a 11-1 record in Grand Slam matches.
A Melbourne moment to remember ✨🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu opens her account at the #AusOpen with a first round victory over Sloane Stephens, 6-0 2-6 6-1.🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/UeUbmdRy18— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2022
A Melbourne moment to remember ✨🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu opens her account at the #AusOpen with a first round victory over Sloane Stephens, 6-0 2-6 6-1.🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/UeUbmdRy18
Raducanu ripped through the first set in 17 minutes, making just two unforced errors. Stephens, the 2017 US Open Champion, broke Raducanu in the opening game of the second set on her way to pulling even.
“It was a tough match-up really for a first round, but I was just very happy,” Raducanu said after the match. “I knew there was going to be some very long rallies and her athleticism is really up there, so I was having to work extremely hard for my points, but I’m so happy to have got through.
“I think it was a really high-quality match, with some very long rallies. I’m very happy to come through against a great champion like her.”
It was a good way to rebound for Raducanu, who struggled at the Sydney Tennis Classic earlier this month, falling to Elena Rybakina 6-0, 6-1.
Raducanu will play world No. 98 Danka Kovinic in the second round.