Raducanu’s return to action starts with Madrid win

In the first round of the Madrid Open, Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens defeated Emma Raducanu to reclaim the WTA Tour.

The British number two won 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 on the clay for the first time in almost a month.

Before immediately regaining control of the set, Raducanu broke into each set and won the match to take the lead.

“I knew I had to play really well to win,” Raducanu said, “but even though it wasn’t always my best play, I got stuck in at the right moment.”

After reaching last month’s Miami Open quarter-finals, Raducanu decided to skip a 10-day training period in Los Angeles.

The world number 49 was there watching as she defeated Lamens in her first clay-court match of the season while also working with Mark Petchey, who is informal coaching her there.

In the second round, Raducanu, 22, will face Marta Kostyuk, the 24th seed in Ukraine.

Later on Wednesday, Sonay Kartal and Francesca Jones, fellow Britons, will play their first-round matches.

In her first clay-court match of the year, Raducanu frequently talked about using “resilience” to win victories and needed to show it again.

Lamens, who is ranked 73rd in the world, has developed skillfully over the past year and is more than comfortable on the field.

After a hectic season, Raducanu missed out on “resting” her body by defeating British number one Katie Boulter earlier this month.

In the opening set, Raducanu frequently struggled to deal with Lamens’ baseline power, but she recovered from a break down and saved three more break points in the ninth game to halt her foe.

Her impressive recent performance in these circumstances, which she demonstrated once more, is a measure of Raducanu’s improved resilience.

Raducanu maintained her composure, improving her tie-break record to 6-1 this year, despite Lamens’ errors.

Petchey frequently offered praise and encouragement at crucial moments, sat in her box with long-time friend Jane O’Donoghue, who had a long relationship with Raducanu.

In the second set, Raducanu had to play more aggressively as Lamens attempted to pin her back behind the baseline.

The Briton also delivered some brilliant moments.

As Lamens attempted to hold serve in a protracted seventh game, with double errors assisting Raducanu as she ultimately broke, a running forehand down the line and another thunderous winner added to the pressure.