Australian Open: Emma Raducanu admits she was ‘really feeling it’ in victory against Sloane Stephens

Emma Raducanu insists she was really feeling the strain physically in the deciding set of her first-round victory against Sloane Stephens at the Australian Open.

The British No 1 marked her first Grand Slam appearance since her historic US Open triumph last year by beating the American 6-0 2-6 6-1.

She lost just four points in a startling first set that lasted just 17 minutes before the 2017 US Open champion regrouped to win the second.  

The British No 1 took the first set against the American in 17 sizzling minutes in Melbourne

That set up a first ever decider at this level for Raducanu, and despite keeping her cool to clinch victory after an hour and 45 minutes, the 19-year-old admitted she was ‘really feeling it’ during the final set.

Asked about her own performance in her post-match on-court interview, Raducanu said: ‘I am very pleased, I think I played some very good tennis in the first set with very few unforced errors. 

‘Of course there was going to be some adversity, she was edging through the long rallies with her defence.

‘I am happy to have regrouped, and again in the third set I don’t think the score really reflected the level out there, because I was really feeling it and just focusing on trying to get every single ball in, landing in between the lines.’

The 2017 US Open champions regrouped and responded by taking the second set

She added: ‘I just want to thank everyone for coming and staying so late, I really appreciate it. 

‘I think me and Sloane really put everything out there, we gave it all we had. It was a really high-quality match with some very long rallies, so I am very happy to have come through against such a great champion like her.

‘I think it was a tough match-up really for a first round. I knew there were going to be some very long rallies and her athleticism is really up there, so I was having to work extremely hard for my points, but I am so happy to have got through.’

But Raducanu battled through the tiredness and kept her cool to win her first-round match

Raducanu will now face Danka Kovinic from Montenegro in the next round of the Australian Open. 

But a blistering start to the tournament has been hailed on social media as ‘flawless’, with ex-British No 1 Greg Rusedski claiming she has shown ‘the sign of a champion’.

‘Whenever there is a slam, @EmmaRaducanu brings out her best tennis,’ Rusedski wrote. ‘Sign of a champion when you can do that at the biggest events. Perfect start from Emma.’