Emma Raducanu faced challenging conditions at Indian Wells as she returned to the court after being harassed by a stalker during a match. The 22-year-old British tennis player had to overcome the emotional distress of the incident at the Dubai Tennis Championships before deciding to compete in the tournament in California. Despite her preparations and increased security, Raducanu struggled and was defeated 6-3 6-2 by Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, appeared unsettled throughout the match as she made numerous errors while Uchijima adapted well to the windy conditions in the desert. Facing consistent pressure on her serve, Raducanu found herself trailing early in the match due to her lack of accuracy and inability to convert break point opportunities. The British player’s subdued demeanor reflected her disappointment as she was unable to regain momentum and ultimately lost the match, marking her sixth defeat in nine matches this year.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Raducanu remains focused on improving her game with the guidance of coach Vladimir Platenik, who has joined her on a trial basis. Looking to enhance all aspects of her play, Raducanu acknowledges the need to be more aggressive and increase the quality of her shots on the court. Following her exit from the tournament, British player Sonay Kartal advanced to the second round after taking advantage of a lucky loser spot, while Jacob Fearnley was unable to progress further after a loss in the men’s draw
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
