Raducanu Still 'finding Feet' But Wins Again On Clay

Emma Raducanu demonstrated her increasing assurance connected a clay tribunal pinch a commanding Italian Open second-round triumph complete Swiss fortunate loser Jil Teichmann.

British number 2 Raducanu, who only knew she was facing Teichmann a fewer hours earlier nan match, progressed pinch a objective 6-2 6-2 win.

After earning her first triumph connected outdoor clay successful almost 3 years astatine nan Madrid Open, she has now won back-to-back matches successful Rome.

It is nan first clip Raducanu has reached nan past 32 successful nan Italian superior - though tougher tests than 94th-ranked Teichmann await.

"I still don't consciousness really comfortable [on clay]," nan 22-year-old English subordinate told Sky Sports.

"I conjecture successful a measurement it helps I person to beryllium ace focused connected each azygous point, get my feet correct and effort not to autumn over.

"I deliberation I'm slow uncovering my feet."

Raducanu was owed to look 20th-ranked Ekaterina Alexandrova, but nan Russian withdrew done wounded connected Friday morning.

Instead Raducanu recovered retired successful her warm-up she would beryllium playing Teichmann, a left-hander who had mislaid successful qualifying.

Teichmann, 27, has been arsenic precocious arsenic 21st successful nan world rankings and is adept connected a aboveground which comes much people to her than Raducanu.

"She is simply a leftie and it's a wholly different challenge. I hadn't played a leftie since February," she said.

"I spent nan first fewer games adjusting to nan measurement nan shot curls, but I'm truthful proud of really I fought through."

Raducanu will play Russia's Veronika Kudermetova, classed 50th successful nan world, successful nan 3rd round.

The 2021 US Open champion has spoken astir utilizing nan European clay tribunal season, which culminates pinch nan upcoming French Open, to finetune her crippled nether nan watchful oculus of coach Mark Petchey.

Playing much aggressively connected nan slower aboveground - and taking greater power of points - has been nan aim.

Clay is often astir hanging reliable successful nan longer, very beingness rallies, but nan gait and extent successful Raducanu's returning crippled ensured she was not dragged into a lengthy scrap by Teichmann.

Raducanu, now classed backmost wrong nan apical 50, showcased her expertise to predominate from nan baseline.

Regularly stepping into nan tribunal and hitting returns earlier allowed nan world number 49 to hit Teichmann pinch powerful winners.

Raducanu's work game, which she struggled pinch astatine nan commencement of nan season, was besides commanding.

Having lengthened nan takeback successful a bid to find much fluidity pinch her opening shot, Raducanu did not suffer service and won 73% of her first-serve points.

That featured 5 aces - including nan 1 which clinched triumph connected her 4th lucifer point.

"After Miami I made immoderate tweaks - it's a wholly different motion, much fluid, a spot longer and hopefully much robust nether pressure," she explained.

"It's by nary intends nan vanished merchandise but location is room to turn it."

Raducanu is nan only British subordinate near successful nan women's singles tie aft Sonay Kartal mislaid 6-4 6-2 to Czech 30th seed Linda Noskova.

In nan men's singles, British number 3 Cameron Norrie mislaid 6-4 6-2 to Russian erstwhile world number 1 and 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev.