Emma Raducanu began her Australian Open campaign with a victory over American star Sloane Stephens. The 19-year-old Brit won the opening match at the Margaret Court Arena 6-0, 2-6, 6-1.

In her second round match, not only did Raducanu battle Montenegrin player Danka Kovinic, but blisters as well. Thus, she had to take a medical timeout in the match too, as she appeared to grimace through every game and set. In the end, she lost the encounter 4-6, 6-4, 3-6.

Emma Raducanu struggled with blisters throughout the match

Emma Raducanu dropped the first set against her Montenegrin opponent in round 2 of the Australian Open. However, she came right back into the match by winning the second set 6-4, pushing the tie to a final set.

The blisters had been a problem for Raducanu right from the beginning of her match against Danka Kovinic. In fact, she even took a medical timeout to take care of them after Kovinic broke her serve.

Furthermore, she struggled to hold the racket properly throughout the first set, as she lost four serve sets to Kovinic. Sadly for Raducanu, her Australian Open campaign came to an end as the World No. 98 took the final set to proceed to the third round. Many had predicted that Emma’s lack of match practice before the Australian Open could spell trouble for her.

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As the final scorecard read 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in Kovinic’s favor, Raducanu walked off the court with her head hung low, waving to the crowd. This was her first Grand Slam after her US Open victory, and Raducanu must be disappointed with how short-lived her run was.

Lack of matches preceded Raducanu’s Australian Open defeat

The US Open champion had contracted Covid-19 in December 2021. Consequently, she had to pull out of the Mubadala WTC in Dubai, where she was going to spearhead the women’s lineup.

Moreover, health concerns forced the 19-year-old to pull out of the WTA 250 event of the Melbourne Summer Set, as well. Thus, she only had the Sydney International tournament to play before the Australian Open.

Sadly, she exited the Sydney International in the very first round, after Elena Rybakina defeated her in straight sets. Thus, it can be argued that the odds were heavily against the British star as she came into the Grand Slam, having played only a single match since early November.

Do you think Emma Raducanu will add to her Grand Slam trophy shelf this year?

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