Emma Raducanu reached the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career with a tenacious victory over American opponent Amanda Anisimova.
The 22-year-old Briton won 6-3 7-5 to set up a meeting with Polish second seed Iga Swiatek.
Raducanu’s preparations for the opening Grand Slam of the season were hampered by a back injury and she required treatment twice during the second round match.
But the world number 61 managed to find a way to beat Anisimova – a friend who is ranked 35th – in a fight that featured 13 service breaks.
“Making it to the second round means a lot to me,” Raducanu said.
“It’s incredibly difficult when you’re playing against a friend and adding a new dimension to the match – and not necessarily a pleasant one.”
Raducanu will play in the last 32 against five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek on Saturday.
Second seed Swiatek, who never got past the Melbourne semi-finals, defeated Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova 6-0 6-1 an hour earlier on Thursday.
How Raducanu fought through injury to beat Anisimova
Raducanu had withdrawn from her season-opening event in Auckland after suffering a back spasm and had not played since mid-November before her first-round victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Raducanu struggled on her second serve against Russia’s 26th seed, hitting 15 double faults, which she attributed to a renewed serve and early tournament nerves.
Another on her first serve against Anisimova was not an encouraging start.
Although she quickly stopped the flow, Raducanu’s serve was regularly punished by the American’s explosive blow.
But Anisimova – who reached the French Open semi-finals as a 17-year-old in 2019 and is rebuilding herself after taking a mental health break from the sport in 2023 – also had problems with her serve and was handed the opening set. with a double fault.
At the start of the second set there were further signs that Raducanu’s problem was having an effect.
After stretching the points area, three double faults caused another break and Raducanu called the trainer as she again lost serve 3-0.
The physiological and perhaps psychological boost helped her immediately.
Raducanu got both breaks back for 3-3 when she returned, before more treatment ensued between the exchange of two more breaks for 4-4.
Anisimova is a sharp ball striker but can be erratic, and Raducanu’s resistance from the baseline meant a subtly balanced ninth game went her way at 30-30.
Raducanu saved a break point in the 11th game, set up match point in the next with a stunning crosscourt forehand winner and sealed victory when Anisimova sliced a backhand wide.
“I had to fight hard and not leave even when the chips were down,” Raducanu said.
“It’s difficult because I haven’t played much. The way I play is quite athletic, so I use my body a lot.
“I’m glad I have some time to recover before my next round.”