Ill Raducanu 'finds a way' 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 in the 10th game.

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

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

The pair continued to trade breaks before Raducanu reasserted her authority - with the 17th break of the match - 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.

Raducanu suffered a back spasm in Strasbourg last week, using dry needling and heat therapy to help her recovery.

While this issue was not enough to prevent her facing Wang, it was clear from the start Raducanu had some sort of 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 raise her energy, Raducanu still looked a little dazed before asking for the doctor.

The carbohydrate intake initially seemed to provide a boost, but the issue continued to bother her and led to the medical attention.

Raducanu can now focus on how to cause a shock against four-time French Open champion Swiatek, who cruised past Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova 6-3 6-3.

British number one Katie Boulter will aim to join Raducanu in the second round when they play later on Monday.

Jodie Burrage, playing under a protected injury ranking, lost her opening match.

The 25-year-old was beaten 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 by American former world number seven Danielle Collins.