Ill Raducanu fights to win French Open comeback match

French Open 2025

Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland Garros

Coverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app

Emma Raducanu battled through illness to win on her French Open return and set up a second-round meeting with defending champion Iga Swiatek.

The British number two earned a 7-5 4-6 6-3 victory against China’s Wang Xinyu, despite needing to see the doctor on court towards the end of the first set.

Raducanu, ranked 41st in the world, is making only her second appearance at Roland Garros after missing the past two tournaments with injury.

"I don't feel great, I was struggling from the start," she told TNT Sports.

"I was flat but I'm happy to find a way."

The 22-year-old recovered to serve out the opener at the second attempt, but Wang - ranked two places lower - rediscovered her quality to level, partly fuelled by a disputed line-call.

Raducanu, who had her blood pressure taken on court, then left for a short break before the decider.

The 2021 US Open champion looked invigorated on her return and quickly went up a double break.

The pair continued to trade breaks before Raducanu reasserted her authority to secure a gruelling victory after two hours and 44 minutes.

Raducanu's relief at coming through the joint longest clay-court match of her career showed as she wearily dropped her racquet on the court.

Victory was yet another illustration of Raducanu's improved resilience.

Raducanu has previously been accused of not showing enough determination to get through matches where she is not feeling 100% physically.

Before the tournament the former world number 10 also described how she had felt pressured by previous coaches into playing when she knew she was not right.

While this issue was not enough to prevent her facing Wang, it was clear from the start Raducanu had a problem.

At the first changeover she looked anxiously towards her team of Jane O'Donoghue and Tom Welsh, who were providing support with main coach Mark Petchey having work commitments in his other role as a commentator.

After eating a banana to boost her energy, Raducanu still looked a little dazed before asking for the doctor.

Raducanu will now turn her attentions to Swiatek, who cruised past Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova 6-3 6-3.

Fellow Britons Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage will aim to join Raducanu in the second round when they play later on Monday.