It was rarely pretty and never comfortable but Emma Raducanu is into the second round of the Australian Open after a creditable 7-6, 7-6 win against No26 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. The 22-year-old was attacked by jumping ants before the tournament but here it was the second serve gremlins, and the ensuing allergic reaction brought 15 double faults.
![[The British star completed a 7-6 7-6 victory against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/03/94062835-14281145-image-a-18_1736824378757.jpg)
But Raducanu generally played well and with some impressive problem solving on the fly - helped by the odd word from coach Nick Cavaday - she won only her fourth Grand Slam match against a seeded opponent. The British No2 appeared to be debuting yet another tweak to her serve - this time a grip change - and her second delivery was extremely inconsistent.
![[Raducanu generally played well and with some impressive problem solving on the fly]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/03/94062591-0-image-a-13_1736823731378.jpg)
The first serve was fine - 57 per cent in and nine aces - but in the first set Raducanu won only 18 per cent of her second-serve points. The double faults were the main culprits but even when the second serve went in Alexandrova was brutalising it. The fact Raducanu was still able to take the set showed how well the rest of her game was operating.
Alexandrova, 30, has an all-or-nothing style and the combination of that and Raducanu’s service woes made this a match of discordant rhythm. Emma Raducanu let out a huge roar as she booked her place in the second round of the Australian Open. The British star completed a 7-6 7-6 victory against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova (pictured).
