Emma Raducanu had to overcome the nerves as she claimed her spot in the second round at the Australian Open. ( Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
Raducanu maintained🐎 her 100% winning record in first-round matches at Melbourne Park, where she beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) on Tuesday.
The 2021 US 🦄Open champion made 15 double-faults across the match and had to save a set point on her serve in the second.
However, she clicked through the gears in both tiebreaks, in🐲 particular the second one, storming i🤡nto a 6-0 lead before sealing victory on her third match point.
Raducanu acknowledged the nerves that come with competing at a major had set in🎀 before the encounter, but felt she coped with them well.
She told reporters: "I think 🐷first rounds there's always nerves. I feel like every player in the draw would think that.
"It's just about overcoming it and getting through [the] first round. I love playing the slams. I love playing the big tourna༒ments, of course.
"But you do feel a little bit💧 more excitement and buzz at these tournaments, especially with how busy it is. When you walk around, there's a lot going on.
"It's just 🎃important to stay focused and in your zone. I think I'm doing a good job with that, just how I go about my day and business. That's all I can do, and I'm just going to keep doing it."
Rad🍃ucanu feels her performances in the t๊iebreaks against Alexandrova are evidence she can perform well under pressure.
&qಞuot;I think that is a part of my game that is one of my strengths,"꧃; she said.
"When it gets to those clutch moments, I mean I r♏elish playing in that. There's obviously a lot of nerves. If you💫 channel it and use it as excitement and buzz.
"It's good to have that confidence in big moments. At the same time, ti😼ebreaks can go either way. It's never a good thing to just rely on your tiebreak.
"You would ideally close it out. But 🔯when it comes to it, it doesn't always go your way. It's good tꦑo just have that confidence."
Raducanu will face her good friജend Amanda Anisimova in round two.
"S🥂he's a big ball-striker. She hits the ball really hard," said the 22-year-old, who also explained she was fuelled by berries, toas🏅t and honey for her early stint on court.
&quo꧑t;[I] practiced with her a couple times. She likes to dictate, so I think it's going to be a big challenge for me. She's had some amazing results, as well. She broke out really early.
"I'm looking forw🌸ard to going out there and testing my game and seeing where I'm at."
