Emma Raducanu Kicks Off French Open Campaign Against Wang Xinyu

PARIS, France – Emma Raducanu began her French Open campaign on Monday against China’s Wang Xinyu as fans flocked to the iconic clay courts of Roland Garros. The match, part of day two of the prestigious tournament, began shortly after 10 a.m. local time.

Raducanu, ranked 41st in the world, faces a challenging first-round match against the 43rd-ranked Wang. Both players have shown flashes of skill early on, with Raducanu aiming to establish her rhythm on the clay, a surface she has described as a work in progress.

A crowd gathered at Court 8, eager to see the former US Open champion, who has faced health issues in recent weeks. Raducanu received treatment for back spasms ahead of the tournament and was open about her struggles with a fear of needles, which she had to overcome to ensure her fitness.

“I feel good, not 100% yet, but we’re working towards that,” Raducanu said before the match. Fans waved flags and wore Union Jack hats as they prepared for the contest.

The match got off to a tense start, with Wang receiving a surprising penalty for a foot fault that put her at a disadvantage early in her service game. Despite this, Wang quickly recovered and fought back, demonstrating her determination with strong returns.

Former British tennis player Annabel Croft commented on the competitive nature of the match, noting that both players were pushing each other. “It’s extremely unlucky to have a double fault called off a foot fault in an opening game, but Wang took it in good spirits,” Croft remarked.

As the match progressed, both players displayed their powerful groundstrokes and tactical play, making for an exciting first-round encounter. Raducanu’s movement appeared sharp as she attempted to dominate the longer rallies, while Wang responded with impressive counter-attacks.

In addition to Raducanu’s match, day two of the tournament also features other British players, including Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage. Meanwhile, the top men’s seeds Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz kick off their bids for the title later in the day.

Looking ahead, if Raducanu wins her match, she is set to face a potential second-round clash with four-time champion Iga Swiatek. As the tournament unfolds, many fans and analysts are keeping a close eye on Raducanu’s progress.