Emma Raducanu ‘proud’ of unusual Australian Open win after equalling British record

survived sending down 15 double faults with her new service action to reach the second round of the .

“I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today,” she said. “I think it had a mind of its own.” The British No.2 had her serve broken six times and won only one of her first 15 points on her second serve.

But she also fired down nine aces in her match of Russian roulette against No.26 Ekaterina Alexandrova to win 7-6 7-6 on breezy Court 3. There were 12 breaks of serve in all.

She is the record-equalling fifth British singles player to win here with playing her opening match in the night session.

“I’m very pleased to have come through that match,” said Raducanu. “It was difficult. It was quite hot out there, getting quite sunny.

“Obviously playing against a really experienced and seeded opponent who is playing great tennis. I think I’m very proud of how I fought and how I overcame certain situations in that match.

“I mean, honestly, I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today. I think it had a mind of its own! I will be sure to reflect, look at that and come back to you.”

Raducanu raced to a 6-0 lead in the second set tiebreak with an ace and then sent down a final double fault. “One more was the cherry on the top,” she laughed. “It is uncomfortable for sure.

“The key to dealing with it mentally I think was accepting the situation. I think in the first set I was hitting a lot of good first serves. I hit a few aces. In the same time I was hitting a double-fault. I was, like, quite accepting that, Okay, I’m at least going for it.

“I’m just very proud that I didn’t let it affect me too much and let the match run away from me. I am going to get into practice tomorrow to see where I can improve and hopefully get under 15 double faults in the next round!”

The former US Open showed her class in both tiebreaks – and she has now won eight consecutive tiebreaks dating back to last April “I think that is a part of my game that is one of my strengths,” Raducanu said. “When it gets to those clutch moments, I mean I relish playing in that.

“There’s obviously a lot of nerves. If you channel it and use it as excitement and buzz… I played two great tiebreaks in the first round of this year. Last year I played a very good tiebreak.

“It’s good to have that confidence in big moments. At the same time, tiebreaks 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 to just have that confidence.

“There is also the adrenaline in those moments. I love adrenaline in all aspects of my life. And when that moment comes around, I feel regret if you are passive or take things off the shots. Then afterwards, if you lose the set, you are probably kicking yourself and thinking: Why didn’t I go for it?

“Maybe part of it is that. I feel that always growing up had a good strength when it gets tight. I love speed of course. But I think a moment at 6-6 – the crowd support today was unbelievable, I couldn’t quite believe it. I was loving They were getting really involved in the match which is great.”

Raducanu suffered a back spasm to interrupt her pre-season training last month and she had not played a match since November – and outdoors since the Korean Open in September.

But the world No.61, who faces her friend, American Amanda Anisimova, in the next round, claimed she had been fit and ready to go to a third set if required.

“I think it was quite a long match,” she said. “I think we were on the court for, like, 2 hours 20. Yeah, first match of the season. I haven’t necessarily played outdoors for a long time, since Seoul.

“I think for me playing two sets was good, but equally, I felt pretty fit out there. Right now I feel good, as well, in my body. I think it’s just a testament to the work I’m starting to do off the court. I didn’t necessarily feel any restrictions.”