Emma Raducanu was delighted to put together “the whole package” after opening her grass court season with a 6-0 6-3 win over Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova at the HSBC Championships in London.
The British number one only allowed Blinkova six points across the entire first set and, despite a stronger second-set challenge from the world number 105, ultimately wrapped up the match in one hour.
The 23-year-old was in buoyant spirits after booking her spot in the second round at Queen’s Club, a very different version of Raducanu from the conciliatory picture she cut on clay after bowing out of the first round at the French Open.
“I think it was a really good stepping stone,” said Raducanu. “And I think the way I was feeling on the court, the way I was moving, the way I was expressing myself, just the whole package, not necessarily the tennis, just how I kind of was acting on the court, I really enjoyed it.
“I think that’s something that I want to take forward in all of my matches and really embrace this grass court season.”
Raducanu was looking for a first win since beating Anastasia Zakharova at Indian Wells in March.
In May, Raducanu, who has cycled through a steady stream of coaches since winning the US Open as a 2021 qualifier, rehired Andrew Richardson, who had guided her to that triumph.
She has also suffered from the lingering impact of a post-viral illness, missing two-and-a-half months of action before arriving in Paris, where she lost to Solana Sierra.
Raducanu reached the quarter-finals at Queen’s last year, when women’s tennis was played there for the first time since 1973.
She said she was hoping to return to a more aggressive form of tennis – with a focus on improving the beginning of points – and got off to a strong start, holding to love in the first game and breaking Blinkova’s serve for the first time in the second.
Raducanu added: “I was really pleased with how I came out and was playing very free. I think I was just feeding off of the atmosphere and it felt free, it felt clear and a lot of clarity.
“Not necessarily thinking too much, not trying to do too much. It felt very natural.”
It took fellow Brit Katie Boulter significantly longer to upset Canada’s Leylah Fernandez – the same woman Raducanu beat in that US Open final – 3-6 7-6 (4) 7-5.
Their encounter began on a rain-delayed Monday and picked up again at the Andy Murray Arena, where Boulter ultimately fought back from a set and a break down to claim victory on home soil in a two-hour, 45-minute battle.
