Saturday, November 9, 2024

Raducanu thrashes Stephens at Eastbourne

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Emma Raducanu secured her passage into the round of 16 at Eastbourne after beating American Sloane Stephens in straight sets on Tuesday.

The former U.S. Open champion won nine games in a row to clinch the match 6-4, 6-0.

Raducanu, 21, displayed her best tennis of the grass-court season so far, claiming the second set in 25 minutes.

“Thank you to everyone who came and supported. I could really hear you guys and feel it.” Raducanu said after the match.

“It’s a much bigger court than the center court in Nottingham. It’s really nice to see so many people out here battling the heat. I actually think it’s worse for you guys [the audience] sitting down in the heat than for us playing and sweating in it, so big props to you.”

Katie Boulter followed her teammate Raducanu on Centre Court, winning against Croatia’s Petra Martić, 6-1, 7-6.

The British No. 1 dropped just one game in the first set to win 6-1 but her opponent found momentum in the second set and fought back to clinch four games in a row. The second set tiebreak ended 10-8 to Boulter.

Earlier on Tuesday, British No. 2 Cameron Norrie was eliminated in the first round of the men’s draw as Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori beat him in straight sets.

During the first set, the pair went game-for-game as both men relied on their serves, resulting in an 11-9 win for the Finn in the tie break and five separate opportunities for set point between them.

Ruusuvuori took the second set 3-6 to advance to the round of 16.

Britain’s Yuriko Miyazaki and Liam Broady lost their opening matches of the tournament.

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