Emma Raducanu says “winning ugly” was all that mattered on her Wimbledon return after suffering a tough first-round battle against Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazua.
The 21-year-old Briton, who missed last year’s tournament due to injury, won 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 on Centre Court.
Raducanu said she used England’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Slovakia in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 on Sunday as “motivation” to beat Zarazua on Monday.
“I was nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis, but at the end of the day you have to do everything you can to get over the line,” said Raducanu, who is ranked 135th and was given a wildcard into the tournament.
“Honestly, when I watched the football last night, it was an ugly win – that’s all that matters.”
Raducanu was due to play 22nd-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova and thought she would be the “complete underdog” in her first appearance at the All England Club since losing in the second round two years ago.
However, the 2021 US Open winner’s role was reversed when the Russian withdrew on Monday morning due to illness.
“The last three days I have been playing and preparing training for similar opponents, and now it is a change of plan,” Raducanu said.
“It took me some time to get used to it and find my way around.
“But I want to thank everyone for their support in the crucial moments. I enjoyed playing here.”
Zarazua, who lost in the third qualifying round, took advantage of Alexandrova’s absence and made her Wimbledon main-draw debut.
Despite the magnitude of the match, she kept Raducanu on edge, making for an exciting match at times for the home crowd favourite.
But the Briton, who was motivated and showed her passion throughout, had enough quality to push through in the end.
After Zarazua saved a match point with her own serve at 5-2, Raducanu set up a second point with a great sprint to the net, taking a drop shot and sealing the win when her opponent sliced a backhand over the line.
Raducanu said her love for the sport had returned this summer and the beaming smile that greeted the success was a sign of her happiness.
“I said I would be over the moon if I won my first round here – and I am,” said Raducanu, who now plays against Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
“I feel the joy of being on the site, the joy of being part of the buzz. I just enjoy it.”
Miyazaki and Kartal ensure further British success
Raducanu was the first Briton to reach the second round and was joined moments later by Lily Miyazaki.
The British number four claimed her first Wimbledon victory with a 6-2 6-1 win over Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch.
The 28-year-old’s reward is a meeting with 14th-seeded Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday.
Miyazaki was born in Japan, moved to London at the age of 10 and started playing for Great Britain in 2022.
After winning her first Grand Slam main draw at the US Open in August, she added another with a confident performance against No. 73 Korpatsch.
Miyazaki scored just seven points on his serve and took five of nine break points to secure a win in just 58 minutes.
“It’s one of the best wins of my career,” said Miyazaki, who admitted the £93,000 she earned for reaching the second round was “huge” for her future.
Qualification Sonay Kartal made it a hat-trick of home wins with a stunning 3-6 6-2 6-0 victory over 29th-seeded Sorana Cirstea.
The 22-year-old Londoner had never won a match on the WTA Tour before surprising an opponent ranked 267 higher.
After battling “scary” health issues earlier this year, Kartal said it was the “biggest and absolutely proudest” win of her career.
“I won’t give away what it was, but I didn’t expect to come back this year at all,” she added.
“When you get your first Grand Slam victory, and at Wimbledon too, it’s extra special.”
Watson, Broady, Broom and Fery eliminated in first round
Heather Watson opened one of the gems of the British sporting summer from a home perspective, playing first on a full 18 court, which was hoping for a positive start from the home players.
However, the 32-year-old Briton lost 7-5 6-4 to the Belgian world number 80, Greet Minnen, who is also Watson’s doubles partner.
Shortly afterwards, Charles Broom lost 6-3 7-5 6-4 to three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in his debut in the main draw of a major tournament.
The 26-year-old Broom was given a wildcard after an impressive performance in the final of the Nottingham Open last month, after which he won a remarkable draw against the 39-year-old Swiss.
After a nervous start, the British number 11 led 5-2 in the second set but struggled when he attempted to serve out and level the match.
Arthur Fery led twice before losing 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 1-6 6-3 6-1 to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier.
The 21-year-old, who grew up at the All England Club, showed some fine tennis but lost some momentum in the fourth set, having to undergo physiotherapy at every set change.
Liam Broady bravely lost 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-2 to former Dutch world number 22 Botic van de Zandschulp, after he was unsure whether he would play.
The 30-year-old man suffered a concussion last month when he hit his head on the trunk of his own car and still suffers from migraines.
The bizarre accident followed an ankle injury that kept Broady, who reached the third round in 2022 and 2023, out for three months.
“I felt good enough to play. I’m glad I did. I’m glad I got through the match and played a bit of the tennis that I know I can play,” he said.
