Phil Walter/Getty Images
Emma Raducanu lived up to her star billing eventually in her match agaisnt Linda Fruhvirtova.
Emma Raducanu was forced to dig deep to defeat Linda Fruhvirtova 4-6 6-4 6-2 in the first round of the ASB Classic on Tuesday.
Once again showers interrupted play, frustrating the sold out crowd as the players were forced off court twice to wait for dry conditions.
But Raducanu was able to get the job done, with her tennis improving as the match went on.
The 20-year-old Brit is one of the star attractions at this year’s Classic, despite her current world ranking of 78.
READ MORE:
* Kiranpal Pannu defeats Finn Reynolds to claim ASB Classic main draw wildcard
* Sloane Stephens says she’s changed from when she won 2016 ASB Classic
* Leylah Fernandez felt like old timer in crushing win over Brenda Fruhvirtova at ASB Classic
Her history making win at the 2021 US Open will mean for years to come she’ll have box office appeal and able to command big appearance fees to play at tournaments like the Classic.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Linda Fruhvirtova showed her potential, but is yet at the level to beat someone of Emma Raducanu’s ability.
But if she can help pack out Centre Court at Stanley Street, like she did on Tuesday, then she’s worth the money.
Pretty much everyone, other than those sitting in Fruhvirtova’s player’s box wanted Raducanu to win this match. The longer she’s in the tournament the more the vent will be in the spotlight around the world.
But this match wasn’t going to be easy for Raducanu. The 17-year-old Fruhvirtova got her ranking up from 296 to 78 in the world over 2022 and had wins over Victoria Azarenka, Elise Mertens and Dana Kovinic on her way to the round of 16 at the Miami Open.
Fruhvirtova, from the Czech Republic, is tipped for great things and if she was playing against almost everyone else in the draw, there would have been people cheering for her.
But this was all about Raducanu and whether we’d be able to see her replicate the form which took her to that grand slam win.
The beginning of the match was tight, Raducanu was making errors, while Fruhvirtova matched her aggression.
Serving at 3-4, Raducanu went down 15-40, but saved both break points thanks to big serves and she then went on to win the game, despite having to fend off another break point.
At deuce in the next game light rain fell, they played one more point, which Raducanu won, but then the players were told to return to the locker room.
When they came back, Fruhvirtova was able to hold serve after a lengthy battle and then she got a break to take a one-set lead.
Raducanu lost the first eight points of the second set and it looked as if this was going to be an ugly exit from the tournament.
But some of her worst tennis was followed by some of her best, as she moved Fruhvirtova all around the court and ripped winners to open places as she reeled off four games in a row, which took her towards claiming the second set.
Raducanu broke in the opening game of the decider, but then they went off as another shower hit Auckland. But Raducanu was able to pick up from where she left off and ended up taking the set convincingly.
