Wimbledon: Emma Raducanu ‘wins ugly like England’ against lucky loser Renata Zarazua to reach second round

Emma Raducanu said she had to “win ugly” as she sealed a 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 victory against Mexican lucky loser Renata Zarazua on her Wimbledon comeback.  Raducanu took advantage of her slice of good fortune to claim victory on her comeback at the All England Club and book a second-round clash on Wednesday with Belgium’s Elise Mertens.  Raducanu had been preparing to face 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, a big-hitting Russian who reached the fourth round here last year.

But Alexandrova withdrew through illness on Monday morning, and instead Raducanu’s opponent was Zarazua, who had never won a tour-level match on grass and was making her main draw debut here.  Zarazua, ranked 98, has an unconventional game and she made life very tricky for Raducanu in the opening set but the 21-year-old dug in well to secure victory and become the first British winner at the tournament.

“It was an incredibly difficult match,” said Raducanu, before drawing comparisons with England’s laboured display over Slovakia at Euro 2024. “It took a lot of strength to get over the line. All props to her. In the morning you’re not in the draw and then you’re playing in Centre Court.  “It took a little bit of adjusting and finding my feet. I just want to say thanks to everyone for the support. I’m incredibly happy to be back here of course. I was nervous for sure, I think people could see that in my tennis.  “Honestly, like watching the football last night, winning ugly… it all counts!”

Two legendary Davids getting ready to watch @EmmaRaducanu on Centre Court at @Wimbledon 😍 pic.twitter.com/u7Zzmb4Q25

— LTA (@the_LTA) July 1, 2024

David Beckham and Sir David Attenborough were among those watching from the Royal Box, and Raducanu made a statement of intent with a forehand return winner drilled down the line on the first point.  But Zarazua was not about to be blown off court, the diminutive 26-year-old using drop shots, lobs and chopped forehands to prevent Raducanu getting into a rhythm.  After saving a break point in the fourth game with a backhand cross-court winner that fizzed off the line, Raducanu moved ahead in the next game only to hand the advantage back as Zarazua made it 4-4.

Going into the tie-break it was anyone’s set, but a fired-up Raducanu seized the initiative from the start and did not lose a point.  Still it was by no means comfortable, with Raducanu saving two break points at 1-1 in the second set as she sought to find the balance between consistency and aggression.  The breakthrough came at 3-2 as Zarazua’s level dipped, and the 21-year-old had the chance to win the match with a second break.

Winning at #Wimbledon with a smile 😀 pic.twitter.com/3MWy7kOqso

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2024

She could not take it but she was nerveless serving it out, setting up another match point with a brilliant dinked forehand winner, and a backhand long from Zarazua sent Raducanu through.  Raducanu will not want to get too far ahead of herself but, with eighth seed Zheng Qinwen an early loser and the withdrawal of third seed Aryna Sabalenka through injury, her section of the draw is wide open.

Wild Card Lily Miyazaki joined Raducanu in the next round after producing a superb performance to upset Tamara Korpatsch 6-2 6-1.  The Tokyo-born 28-year-old more than doubled her prize money for the year, earning £93,000 for less than an hour’s work.  A comprehensive win over the German world No 73 secured a second-round meeting with 14th seed Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday.