Bromley’s Emma Raducanu battled to the second round of the Australian Open against Ekaterina Alexandrova.

In front of a packed crowd on court three in Melbourne, Raducanu secured a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2) victory in her first match of 2025. The Brit was due to play at the Auckland Classic in preparation for the first slam of the season but was obliged to withdraw due to back spasms.

Despite claiming a straight set victory, the 21-year-old had to weather the storm after struggling to find consistency on her serve. In an attritional first set, both players found it difficult to fine-tune their service game with eight breaks (four each) in the set.

Although Raducanu’s serve was far from impressive in the opener — accumulating nine double faults — the Brit took control in the tiebreak and grabbed the first set.

Raducanu settled in the second set before the double faults crept back into her service game and presented further cause for concern. After breaking Alexandrova in the first game of the second set, the Russian brought the set back on serve in the eighth game.

Yet, Alexandrova’s fightback garnered an immediate response from Raducanu, who impressively broke back to serve for the game. Attempting to see the match out, Raducanu slipped within two points but was once again imperfect, with her opponent fighting back before a 13th double fault from the world number 61.

A show of spirit was required from Raducanu, who went from hoping to serve the match out to serving to stay in the set. Alexandrova earned a set point, but Raducanu saved with a classy serve and then thrived on the recovery, winning the following three points to force another tiebreak.

Once again, the tiebreak brought the former US Open champion to life with a stunning down-the-line winner setting the tone. Raducanu raced to a 6-0 lead before a blip of yet another double fault prolonged the inevitable.

Knocking the 26th seed out, Raducanu has set up a tie against American Amanda Anisimova.

The British number two became the fifth Briton to book their place in the second round after Jacob Fearnley, Jack Draper, Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart navigated to wins on day two.