Raducanu's Wimbledon starts with hard-fought victory

Emma Raducanu made a winning return to Wimbledon after coming through a testing first-round battle against Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazua.

The 21-year-old Briton, who missed last year's tournament through injury, claimed a 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 victory on Centre Court.

Raducanu was supposed to be playing 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and thought she would be the "complete underdog" in her first appearance at the All England Club since losing in the second round two years ago.

Instead, the 2021 US Open champion found herself in a role reversal when the Russian withdrew through illness on Monday morning.

"For the past three days, I've been playing and setting up practice for similar opponents and then it is a change of plan," said Raducanu, who is ranked 135th in the world and was given a wildcard to play.

"It took a little bit of adjusting and finding my feet.

"But I’d like to thank everyone for their support in the crucial moments. I enjoyed playing back here."

Zarazua, who lost in the third round of qualifying, benefited from Alexandrova's absence and was handed her main-draw debut at Wimbledon.

Despite the size of the occasion, she pushed Raducanu in what was a tense performance at times from the home favourite.

But the Briton, who was fired up and showed her passion throughout, had enough quality to eventually come through.

After Zarazua saved a match point on her own serve at 5-2, Raducanu set up another with a superb dash to the net to pick up a drop shot and clinched victory when her opponent put a sliced backhand long.

Raducanu said her love for the sport had returned this summer and the beaming smile which greeted the success signalled her happiness.

"I'm incredibly happy to be back here on court," said Raducanu, who plays Belgium's Elise Mertens next.

"I was nervous, I think everyone could see that in my tennis but at the end of the day you have to do whatever it takes to get over the line.

"Honestly, watching the football last night, it was winning ugly – it all counts."

Raducanu was the first Briton to reach the second round following defeats earlier on day one for Heather Watson, Charles Broom, Arthur Fery and Liam Broady.

Moments later, British number four Lily Miyazaki joined Raducanu in the second round after securing her first victory in the Wimbledon main draw.

Miyazaki, 28, won 6-2 6-1 against Germany's Tamara Korpatsch, setting up a meeting with 14th seed Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday.

Watson opened one of the jewels of the British sporting summer from a home perspective, playing first on a packed Court 18 but losing to Belgium's Greet Minnen in straight sets.

The Briton was beaten 7-5 6-4 by the world number 80, who is also Watson's doubles partner.

Watson was given a wildcard to enter her 14th tournament at SW19 after slipping to 199 in the rankings.

The 32-year-old trailed 4-1 in the first set but she used the crowd to rally brilliantly and won four consecutive games to serve for the set.

Watson seemed to tighten up, though, and Minnen forced her way back into taking a set lead.

The second set went with serve until the former British number one double-faulted to bring up match point for Minnen, with a long forehand from Watson ending her hopes.

Later on day one, Broom lost 6-3 7-5 6-4 to three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka.

Broom, 26, was given a wildcard after an impressive run to the Nottingham Open final last month, then further rewarded with an eye-catching draw against the 39-year-old Swiss.

After a nervous start on his main-draw debut at a major, Broom settled to lead 5-2 in the second set.

But the British number 11, ranked 248th in the world, became tight as he tried to serve out and level the match.

Veteran Wawrinka took full advantage to turn the set around before moving a double break ahead in the third to take control and seal victory.

Fery then followed Watson and Broom in exiting in the first round.

The 21-year-old was beaten 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-1 3-6 1-6 by German Daniel Altmaier on court 16.

Fery produced some fine tennis until the fourth set, where he received treatment from the physio at the change of every end.