Citi Open: ‘Good to get a win here’ – Emma Raducunu back to winning ways on US soil after beating Louisa Chirico

Emma Raducanu, the US Open champion, started her return to North American swing with a 6-4 victory over Louisa Chirico in round 1 of the Citi Open in Washington D.C.

The No. The No. 2 seed, who stunned everyone last year to win her first ever Grand Slam in Flushing Meadows, took 1 hour 27 minutes to defeat the American qualifier.

Raducanu is looking for the hard courts in order to win again after an indifferent 2022 campaign which saw her exit both the second rounds at Wimbledon and Australian Open, as well as reaching the quarterfinals of only one WTA 500 event in Stuttgart in April.

Tennis

Raducanu looks at Tursunov with aggression and honesty.

YESTERDAY AT 14.19

She was determined to win the game and converted a second break point in her opening game.

She missed the double break opportunity for 3-0 and found herself at 3-3 after losing her serve.

The Brit then took it to the next level in the ninth game to break once more before handing out the set to her lover.

Both players failed convert break points at start of second set. Match stayed on serve until fifth game, when Raducanu finally broke.

The 19-year-old was now in cruise control, taking the next three games (including two love-hold services games) for victory.

Raducanu commented that it felt great to win here in D.C. “It’s a great feeling to be able to play after Wimbledon or any other matches this year.

“I think that any round is always very difficult. Even if you aren’t match-sharp, there are small things that you don’t always get right. It’s important to keep calm.

In round two, she will face Colombia’s Camila Obio.

A former champion of the US Open is also available elsewhere Sloane Stephens Was defeated 6-1, 6-4 by Ajla Tomljanovic While Victoria Azarenka Was a 6-4 6-0 winner over Dayana Yastremska.