Emma Raducanu wins her first outdoor clay match in three years

Emma Raducanu made a winning start in Madrid. World no. 49 faced Suzan Lamens and worked hard for a 7-6, 6-4 triumph in an hour and 57 minutes. Thus, the Briton notched her first outdoor clay victory since Roland Garros 2022.

Emma erased a deficit in both sets and prevailed in the pivotal moments. The Briton struggled behind the first serve. However, she outplayed her rival behind the second and emerged at the top in just under two hours. 

Raducanu took four points more than her rival. She defended five of eight break points and provided four breaks from seven opportunities.

All smiles 😆@EmmaRaducanu plays an excellent match to move into the next round after defeating Lamens 7-6(4), 6-4!#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/9q4XgIrAdU

— wta (@WTA) April 23, 2025

Lamens saved a break point in the second game and held after the rival’s backhand error to avoid an early setback. The Dutch player landed a backhand return winner in the fifth game to secure a break and open a 3-2 advantage.

Emma landed a forehand crosscourt winner in the next one and pulled the break back to return to the positive side. The Briton faced the ultimate challenge at 4-4. She defended three break points with fine hitting and held after Suzan’s mistake. 

They served well in the upcoming games and introduced a tie break. Lamens fired a powerful forehand crosscourt winner in the fifth point for 3-2. However, she sprayed two errors in the next three points and fell 5-3 behind.

Raducanu hit a service winner in the ninth point and generated three set points. The Briton seized the second after the opponent’s loose backhand, securing the opening set 7-6 in an hour and four minutes. Suzan denied a break point at the beginning of the second set with a backhand winner. 

She welcomed Emma’s loose drop shot in game two for a break and a 2-0 advantage. The younger player landed a forehand winner in the…