Australian Open – Day Three: Live score, game-by-game updates and results as Emma Raducanu advances, while Alex De Minaur and Katie Boulter get underway
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest score, and game-by-game updates as Daniil Medvedev, Elena Rybakina, Cameron Norrie, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter headline Day Three of the Australian Open from Melbourne.
Raducanu gets the win – despite service struggles
So, it seemed like Emma Raducanu has made some alterations to her service game coming into the Australian Open this week.
The British star got her tournament off to a flying start earlier this afternoon beating Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 7-6.
While she had to battle hard in the match, the 22-year-old played some of her best tennis to surpass Alexandrova in both tiebreaks.
But after making some tweaks, Raducanu appeared to struggle with her service game, double-faulting 15 times.
Mail Sport’s Matthew Lambert recaps on what was a great start from the British star.
Raducanu: ‘My serve had a mind of its own!’
Emma Raducanu spoke after her victory on the changes she has made to her service game coming into the Australian Open.
Yeah, honestly I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today. I think it had a mind of its own…
I will be sure to reflect, look at that and come back to you.
Raducanu would serve out 15 double faults and while her first-serve percentage points won sat at a solid 67 per cent, her profitability off her second serve was much lower at 30 per cent.
I think in the first set I was hitting a lot of good first serves. I hit a few aces. At the same time I was hitting a [lot of] double faults.
I think as the balls got heavier it was a lot more difficult. As I think more kept coming it was not easy to refocus but I knew that even if I was down, I have great returns. It was good to be able to rely on other parts of my game today that I know are quite strong.
I’m just very proud that I didn’t let it affect me too much and let the match run away from me.
It’s a hot day here at Melbourne Park!
Good afternoon (or good morning if you’re waking up in the United Kingdom)!
It’s a hot day here in Melbourne, it’s 26ºc but it feels way, way hotter out there.
On my travels this morning I’ve seen fans running through sprinklers and long queues outside the peach ice cream stand next to the Kia Arena.
It’s been a busy day on court too!
British fans will be excited to hear that Emma Raducanu has advanced to the second round of the Australian Open, beating Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6 7-6.
We’ve also got some huge matches coming your way later today with newly-engaged couple, Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur in action!
First, though, let’s recap on Emma Raducanu’s win from today… here’s the moment she clinched victory!
