Britain’s Emma Raducanu put aside an ankle injury concern to sail past German Tamara Korpatsch 6-3, 6-2 on day one of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Raducanu broke her opponents’ serve six times during the match, and won 67 per cent of her first serve points, dominating the time to set up a mouthwatering second clash with American Coco Gauff.
“I’m really looking forward to this match. I’m very up for it,” Raducanu said.
“Coco has obviously done a lot of great things and she’s playing well. I’m just looking forward to the matchup.
“I think we’re both good, young players, we’re both coming through. Yeah, part of the next generation of tennis really. Yeah, it’s going to be a great match.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the former US Open champion. Raducanu admitted she had to adapt to the Germans unorthodox style of play, saying Korpatsch was a “tricky” opponent.
She’s an awkward player. I think in the conditions today, like, the balls are quite heavy here, and it would like slow it down. That I think favoured her,” she said.
