Emma Raducanu digs deep against Wang Xinyu to claim second-ever French Open win

In a contest that lasted close to three hours, the 22-year-old overcame a fierce challenge from her Chinese opponent to claim a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory on the second day of action at Roland Garros.

A high-quality start to the match saw Raducanu and Wang trade early breaks, with the Brit failing to serve out the set for the first time at 5-4 up.

World No 41 Raducanu immediately regained the upper hand with a quick break and served out the opening set despite a lengthy on-court medical timeout.

Despite a strong end to the opener, the Brit's level dropped significantly at the start of set two and, perhaps affected by an apparent medical issue, quickly fell 5-1 down.

Wang twice failed to serve out the set but broke in the tenth game to force a decider, though Raducanu held her nerve in the deciding set to prevail.

"I was playing Xinyu, who's a tough opponent - she can take the racket out of your hands," said Raducanu to TNT Sports.

"I'm really happy to have found a way. The opening rounds are never easy. I haven't been here in three years, so I think it was just a combination of a lot of things. Happy to have got through at least.

"I can take positives in the fact that a lot of top champions, top players, they've saved match points, really struggled, but they've given themselves another opportunity in the draw, another match.

"I think that is a big quality that is not necessarily easy to teach, where a shot is easier to kind of work on.

"Character, and heart, and fight, that really came through today. I'm really proud of that."

Victory for Raducanu was her first at the French Open since 2022, where she beat Linda Noskova in the opening round before a round-two defeat to Aliaksandra Sasnovich.

She pulled out of the event in 2023 due to a long-term injury absence, while she withdrew in 2024 to prioritise her grass-court campaign.

However, it will not be easy for Raducanu to progress any further in the draw, with a blockbuster second-round match against three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek up next.

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