In a captivating display of adaptability and determination, Emma Raducanu, the 22-year-old British tennis star, powered her way into the third round of the WTA 1000 Italian Open in Rome with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann. The match, played under the vibrant lights of the Foro Italico, was a testament to Raducanu’s evolving prowess on clay and her ability to overcome unexpected challenges. Facing a last-minute opponent change and the unfamiliar dynamics of a left-handed player, Raducanu’s performance was a thrilling blend of power, precision, and mental fortitude, marking her first-ever third-round appearance at this prestigious tournament.
Raducanu’s path to victory was anything but straightforward. Originally slated to face world No. 22 Ekaterina Alexandrova, she was thrown a curveball when the Russian withdrew hours before their match due to a shoulder injury. Stepping in was Teichmann, a lucky loser from qualifying and a left-handed player whose style presented a unique challenge. “To be honest, it was pretty mental,” Raducanu admitted, capturing the whirlwind of emotions she experienced. “I was warming up for my match against Alexandrova, practising with Mirra [Andreeva], and all of a sudden I get told I’m playing Jil, and on top of that, she’s a lefty. So it’s a completely different challenge.”
The shift required rapid adjustment, as Raducanu hadn’t faced a left-handed opponent since February’s encounter with Marketa Vondrousova in Abu Dhabi. “I honestly haven’t practised with a lefty,” she confessed. “The first few games, I was adjusting to the way the ball curls, but I’m really proud of myself, how I fought through.” Teichmann, ranked No. 94 but once as high as No. 21, is a clay-court specialist, making the matchup even more daunting. Yet Raducanu rose to the occasion, breaking Teichmann’s serve twice in each set and delivering six aces, including a searing one down the middle to seal the match in just 82 minutes.
Raducanu’s performance was a masterclass in baseline aggression and defensive resilience. Her forehand, often a volatile shot, found the lines with consistency, while her serve—recently tweaked for greater robustness—proved a reliable weapon. “There’s been some tweaks,” she said of her serve. “It’s a completely different motion, I’m trying to make it a bit longer and hopefully more robust under pressure. By no means is it the finished product, I feel there’s so much room to grow it.” Facing only one break point, she showcased a newfound confidence on a surface where she’s still finding her footing. “I still don’t really feel comfortable on clay,” she admitted, “but in a way, it helps me, because I have to be super focused on every single point, just get my feet right and try not to fall over.”
This victory builds on Raducanu’s gritty first-round win over 19-year-old Australian qualifier Maya Joint, a nearly three-hour battle that ended 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3. Her Rome campaign, her first since an injury-forced retirement in 2022, reflects a fresh mindset. “It does feel like a bit of a fresh start,” she noted, crediting her optimistic outlook and the guidance of coach Mark Petchey, whose tactical insights helped her navigate Teichmann’s unorthodox style. Next, Raducanu faces world No. 50 Veronika Kudermetova, a former Rome semifinalist, in what promises to be a stern test. With her ranking climbing to No. 45 and a potential French Open seeding in sight, Raducanu’s Rome run signals her readiness to reclaim her place among the WTA’s elite.
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