Emma Raducanu WINS on clay-court debut to level BJK Cup tie

Emma Raducanu WINS on Billie Jean King Cup debut as she beats Tereza Martincova in first professional match on clay to level Britain’s tie with the Czech Republic

• Emma Raducanu won 7-5, 7-5 to restore parity for Britain in the tie in Prague
• Raducanu’s victory came after Harriet Dart was thrashed by Marketa Vondrousova
• The contest continues with two doubles matches in the Czech capital tomorrow 

Emma Raducanu enjoyed a successful first professional outing on clay as she beat Tereza Martincova in straight sets to level Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup tie with the Czech Republic in Prague.

British number one Raducanu battled to a 7-5, 7-5 victory on debut for her country to keep alive her team’s chances of reaching the play-offs.

Britain trailed 1-0 going into the second rubber after Harriet Dart was thrashed 6-1, 6-0 by Marketa Vondrousova earlier on Friday.

Emma Raducanu won her first competitive match on clay to level the tie for Britain in Prague

The win contained plenty of the US Open champion’s typical traits. After taking the first set, she trailed 4-1 in the second before four straight games – including a marathon ninth – took her to the brink of victory. 

Martincova held her serve before Raducanu reeled off consecutive games to close out a hard-fought triumph.

The success for Raducanu in an epic contest ensures Britain go into tomorrow’s two doubles rubbers with parity.

It was never straightforward for the 18-year-old, who had not played a match on the surface since the French Open juniors in 2018 but rose to the challenge impressively.

She fought back from set point down in the first set to move ahead and had to show her battling qualities once again in the second after Martincova had established a three-game lead.

The ninth game, where Raducanu held to make her Czech opponent serve to stay in the match, lasted more than 15 minutes.

‘This one means so much to me because it is my first match in the Billie Jean King Cup and representing the team in my first match on clay,’ said Raducanu.

‘We’re still in this battle and it’s all to play for tomorrow.

‘The team had my back 100% as we had Harriet’s back this morning. It is amazing to be in team event in an individual sport and I’m cherishing the matches this week.

”In the beginning of the second set I went a bit flat and everyone in team said the intensity had dropped. It is difficult to regain that but glad I did in the end.’

More to follow. 

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