Emma Raducanu has admitted she learnt a lot from her come from behind win over Polona Hercog at the Transylvania Open in Romania, but she said the biggest was how to dig in and fight back when a set down.
Raducanu got off to a fast start in Cluj, going 4-1 up, but then found herself a set down to the world No.24 Hercog.
“I think the key was to try and stay mentally composed,” Raducanu said.
“Dropping the first set hasn’t happened to me very often so far but I have learned about digging in and that I can turn matches around and that is a big learning thing for me.
“I knew myself I wasn’t playing very well so I just needed to keep going one point at a time, if I kept giving myself a chance by holding serve I thought my tennis might improve and fall into place and I did – and I am really proud of myself for how I fought.
“I take a lot from this match today. All of the matches I am playing I am gaining experience and I definitely feel that one counts huge because when you are not playing very well you know you can do better, and just pull yourself through.”
The 18-year-old world No. 23 dedicated the win to her Romanian father Ian.
“This means a lot to play in my dad’s country,” she told the BBC. “It feels like a huge win.
“It is a shame there aren’t fans here, but I hope they were watching and I just wanted to do them proud.
“I was on a losing streak so I am really pleased to have come through that. It’s my first win, I knew that in my head, so I was battling really hard to get on the board.”
