Emotional Emma Raducanu ‘finds extra gear’ in Eastbourne International opener to dispatch Ann Li ahead of Wimbledon

Emma Raducanu came back from a first-set loss to beat American Ann Li 6-7(5) 6-3 6-1 in the first round of the Eastbourne International.

It was not a perfect performance from the 22-year-old, who missed out on a tie-break in the first set, but she rallied in the final two sets to produce a fine win and book her spot in the next round.

It was clear that the Sussex crowd helped raise Raducanu’s game at moments during the match, and she thanked them in her post-match interview on court.

“I feel incredible,” Raducanu said after the match. “I just want to thank the crowd for getting me through some really sticky moments.

“It really meant a lot to me, and I’m so proud of how I fought back after losing the first set. It was a tough match. Ann was hitting winners all over the place and it was obviously very windy.

“But I’m very happy to have come through that today, so thank you.”

Li won three tie-break points in a row to beat Raducanu in the opening set, and she started the second set with two break points that further dulled the crowd on the south coast.

But Raducanu found two break points of her own soon after as Li suffered her first double fault of the match.

“It was incredible,” she continued. “It was tough, it was up and down. But I think from the middle of the second set I found an extra gear, I found an extra level and I’m really proud of how I came through that.”

After Li broke back in the second set at 4-3, Raducanu dropped only one more game in the entirety of the match as she began to exploit the American’s second serve.

The third set saw her ramp up her power and despite it taking her four match points to do so, she wrapped up the win with a lovely backhand and will face Australia’s Maya Joint in the second round.

Joining Mark Petchey in Raducanu’s coaching box was British No. 4 Fran Jones, and the younger Briton was grateful for the extra support to see her through a sticky match.

“It’s working really well. I had head coach Fran Jones and assistant coach Mark Petchey out there today, but it was really nice to have a lot of support,” Raducanu added.

“It’s been going so well with Mark and I’m looking forward to playing tomorrow, and then looking forward to Wimbledon as well.”

Raducanu, who was visibly emotional after her win, offered an explanation for why and said she “recieved some pretty bad news.”

“But it was difficult, very emotional at the end and probably just a release of different emotions.

“It was a physically demanding match,” said seventh seed Raducanu.

“It was pretty difficult and in the wind you are constantly trying to adjust. We had some long rallies, I was running a lot.

“I feel OK, a little bit of fatigue, a bit of stiffness, but I need to just see how I feel tomorrow.”