Photo Credit: File Photo
British Emma Raducanu starts well off at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix campaign in Stuttgart as she wins against fellow Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber. Raducanu continues her comeback from a double wrist surgery. She has struggled with form and injuries since her fairytale US Open title in 2021. She is ranked 303rd in the world.
But the 21-year-old, who was in inspired form at the weekend as she helped Great Britain qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in stunning fashion with a 3-1 win over France, continued where she left off by dismantling home favorite Kerber 6-2 6-1.
"It was obviously very difficult to play Angie. She has so much history behind her. You're not just playing Angie Kerber. You're playing the person who achieved all those amazing results, so it's definitely one of those where you have to get your mind around and try and play the ball in front of you," said Raducanu.
"I think it wasn't the prettiest match but I really did try to focus and think of the next point, the next ball ahead and not get too bogged down because there were some really long games so I'm just happy to have got through that."
Former world No 1 Kerber only recently returned from 18 months out on maternity leave and it showed throughout.
Raducanu got off to a flying start by breaking Kerber in the opening game and despite an immediate response from the German, Britain took control and claimed the first set in 41 minutes.
Kerber was broken again at the start of the second set and although she managed to haul back level, Raducanu stepped up a gear and shrugged off a brief visit from the trainer to wrap up an emphatic win.
Talking about her comeback from injury, Raducanu continued: "The fitness takes a lot out of you just to compete and I think the matches are a lot more physical than practicing. It's tough to replicate because it's not just the hours on court, it's the stress, it's the nerves that go into your muscles.
"The match fitness something is difficult and also the shot selection."
Raducanu will take on Czech teenager Linda Noskova next.
Lewis Musonye
