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Raducanu’s first appearance since shock win in New York ends in defeat to world No.100
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Briton lacked sharpness with Belarusian dominating from the start at Indian Wells
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Unforced errors cost Briton as she misses out on chance to face her hero Simona Halep in third round
Emma Raducanu’s return to the court after her sensational US Open triumph ended in defeat as she was beaten in the second round in Indian Wells.
It has been 27 days since the 18-year-old stunned the world to become the queen of New York in a fairytale story, but she could not reproduce that level in the Californian desert, going down 6-2 6-4 to Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
That success at Flushing Meadows has catapulted Raducanu into stardom, attending the Met Gala and the James Bond premiere in her time away from the court, and she got a taste of her new life as she was given the headline slot in the Friday night evening session.
However, she could not live up to her billing as the super attacking style that served her so well at the US Open proved her downfall early on and then she squandered a lead in the second set as Sasnovich won four games in a row to seal victory.
Had it not been for that incredible win last month, this defeat for Raducanu would have been entirely expected as Sasnovich, currently ranked at 100, is a former top 30 player and an experienced head on the WTA Tour.
The Briton is anything but and, despite already having a grand slam in her trophy at home, this was just her third tour-level tournament and she is still waiting for her first win.
In many ways, Raducanu’s career starts in earnest now as she gets used to life on tour and she will have to deal with opponents – and defeats – like this on a weekly basis.
The match had begun as if she had never been away, winning the first six points on her way to a service hold to love and 0-30 on Sasnovich’s delivery.
But, after a first-round bye playing in alien conditions for the first time, the Brit’s radar went astray and allowed Sasnovich quickly won three games in a row, including a break to love to go 3-1 up.
A second break at 4-2 allowed the Belarussian to serve out the opener as – after winning 20 straight sets at Flushing Meadows – Raducanu lost a set for the first time since the end of August.
The writing looked on the wall after the 17th seed was broken in a mammoth 13-minute game at the start of the second set.
But a searing backhand winner down the line changed the momentum, allowing Raducanu to break back immediately and soon after she broke to love again to go 4-2 up and seemingly on course to mount a comeback.
However, a sloppy game saw her opponent quickly break back in the first of four quick games that Sasnovich won to seal victory and set up a third-round meeting with Simona Halep.
For Raducanu, she will dust herself down and move on to the next one, where she is due to play in Moscow in the Kremlin Cup later this month.
As it happened
02:57 AM
It’s important to remember that…
… this was just Raducanu’s third tour-level tournament and she is still waiting for her first win. This was never going to be an easy task – no longer under the radar and with the spotlight very much on her.
02:36 AM
Simon Briggs from Indian Wells
From 4-2 up that was pretty underwhelming. I counted 18 unforced errors in second set from Raducanu. That’s almost five games’ worth. Clearly struggling with expectation. The first set saw Sasnovich play high level. The second didn’t.
02:36 AM
Sasnovich wins 6-2, 6-4
An exquisite drop shot from Sasnovich gives her three match points and she holds to love and take the match doing what no one could manage at the US Open.
It was always going to be a tough match for Raducanu, but she never really got going and lacked match sharpness. Perhaps the weight of expectation on the Briton’s shoulders didn’t help but take nothing away from Sasnovich who was deserving of the victory.
02:31 AM
Raducanu up against it
02:30 AM
Raducanu 2-6, 4-5 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
Sasnovich has been returning well, taking the ball on the rise. She gets to 0-30 up and that soon become 0-40 after a wild miss from Raducanu. The first of the three break points is saved thanks to a long Sasnovich backhand but the Briton cannot save another and the Belarusian will now serve for the match.
02:27 AM
Raducanu* 2-6, 4-4 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is at the net and is lobbed not for the first time by Sasnovich. The Briton is two from five in terms of net posts won so far. The Belarusian takes the game thanks to a Raducanu backhand into the net. This match has got a bit scrappy.
02:21 AM
Raducanu 2-6, 4-3 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
Just when Raducanu was getting well on top in the set Sasnovich earns three break points. The Briton saves two of them in the blink of an eye – the second with her first ace of the set. But she cannot save the third and the Belarusian breaks straight back.
02:18 AM
Raducanu* 2-6, 4-2 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is being more canny this half, staying in the rallies more and waiting for the Sasnovich error. She gets to 0-30 before the Belarusian fails to convert a great chance for a point at the net. Raducanu has three break points and she only needs one of them. For the first time in the match the teenager has a two-game cushion.
02:15 AM
From Simon Briggs at Indian Wells
Strange lack of fist pumps in this set as she is coming back a little into contention. Feels like she is inhibited by the new expectations around her – and who wouldn’t be?
02:14 AM
Raducanu 2-6, 3-2 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is playing more bold, fearless tennis this set and it’s paying dividends. This is a good response from the Briton showing mental toughness having failed to break the previous game. She holds with ease.
02:12 AM
Raducanu up against it
02:11 AM
Raducanu* 2-6, 2-2 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is hanging in the rallies much batter now, and earns a break point. Sasnovich finds the corner of the court with a forehand winner to make it deuce. But a backhand into the net gifts the Briton another break point. Raducanu cannot capitalise on that one, or with her third break point. From there Sasnovich takes the game, a wide (just) forehand giving the Belarusian the spoils.
02:02 AM
Raducanu 2-6, 2-1 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
That’s much better – Raducanu looks more confident and gets to 40-0. A double fault, however, allows Sasnovich back into the game at 40-30. But the Briton holds her nerve and for the first time in the match she wins back-to-back games.
01:59 AM
Raducanu* 2-6, 1-1 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
Raducanu unleashes an explosive backhand winner reminiscent of her play at the US Open. Another clean backhand winner makes it deuce – can she use that to get her going? She earns a break point and makes no mistake to back into this match. Can that be a much-needed turning point?
01:53 AM
Raducanu 2-6, 0-1 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
That’s better from Raducanu – she comes in off a forehand that sets up a drive forehand winner. That makes it 30-30 but a wide forehand gifts Sasnovich another break point. The Briton saves that with a good first serve that the Belarusian cannot return. Sasnovich earns another break point thanks to some fine defence. Raducanu is lacking some sharpness at the moment but saves that break point. A long backhand gives her opponent a third break point which once again she cannot capitalise on. Sasnovich earns a fourth break point and this time she makes no mistake taking the game with a backhand crosscourt winner.
01:44 AM
From Simon Briggs at Indian Wells
Decent level from Sasnovich who has had a match already to acclimatise. Raducanu not far away but couldn’t win the big points in the way she did at the US Open. There’s a massive difference when you don’t start against a relatively weak opponent – as Emma did in US Open qualifiers – and build into the event. Sasnovich playing well above her ranking of 100.
01:41 AM
Sasnovich takes the first set 6-2 in 30 minutes
Raducanu just hasn’t got going yet, there are a fair few errors and her return game hasn’t been there so far. A Sasnovich ace gives her a set point after 29 minutes of the match. A Raducanu drive backhand, having moved the Belarusian around the court, makes it deuce, but Sasnovich wins the next two points to take the first set 6-2. The last point Raducanu was careless when it looked as though the point was her’s to lose. That sort of sums up the first set.
That’s the first set Raducanu has lost since late August
01:33 AM
Raducanu 2-5 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
Sasnovich is controlling most points at the moment, a fine forehand winner down the line gives her a 0-30 lead. That soon becomes 0-40 thanks to a Raducanu double fault and a wide forehand gives her opponent another break. Raducanu didn’t drop a set at the US Open but she’s a double break down early on here.
01:30 AM
Raducanu* 2-4 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
Sasnovich is not to be underestimated, she’s a good competitor and is showing that at the moment. She’s 30-0 up in this game before playing a brilliant backhand winner for three service points. Raducanu wins the next two points to put the Belarusian under a bit of pressure but she fails to land a crosscourt backhand and Sasnovich reestablishes the two-game advantage.
01:24 AM
Raducanu 2-3 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
That’s more like it from Raducanu as she holds to love, stopping the rot.
01:23 AM
Raducanu* 1-3 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
There have been a few lacklustre shots from Raducanu so far – either failing to put away potential winners or wayward groundstrokes long or into the net. Two such errors give Sasnovich a 30-15 lead from there the Belarusian holds to 15. Raducanu yet to really get going, she’s lost three games in a row.
01:18 AM
Raducanu 1-2 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is under pressure at 0-30 down on her serve, Sasnovich isn’t the type of player to be overawed and it’s showing early on here. She earns three break points with a delightful lob after the Briton fails to put away a drive volley. She only needs one of them as she breaks to love. Early pressure on Raducanu now having won the first six points of the match.
01:15 AM
Raducanu* 1-1 Sasnovich (*denotes next server)
Raducanu is up 0-30 thanks to a long backhand from the Belarusian who finally gets on the scoreboard the next point. A wayward backhand from the Briton makes it 30-30, another error, this one into the net gives Sasnovich a 40-30 lead. Raducanu then jumps into a brilliant forehand winner for deuce but from there Sasnovich holds well.
01:10 AM
Raducanu 1-0 Sasnovich* (*denotes next server)
Nice way to start for the Briton, she looks relaxed and and shows off her rocket of a forehand early on with a fine winner. That’s followed up with a backhand winner to the same corner and races out the blocks to hold to love. Impressive opening.
01:08 AM
Raducanu to serve first
The match is under way!
01:06 AM
Aliaksandra Sasnovich
Looks to take the ball early and is competitive – this will likely be a hard-fought match.
01:04 AM
From Simon Briggs at Indian Wells
At the moment there is virtually no-one in the stadium. There seems to be quite a few people milling around outside but the stands are empty. I guess people round here haven’t got their heads around the different time of year. Also we are up against NFL and baseball play-offs. But it’s strangely quiet.
01:00 AM
The players are about to walk out onto court
This is the second biggest tennis arena in the world – after Arthur Ashe in New York, of which Raducanu, obviously, has fond memories.
12:55 AM
When you’ve won the US Open
You get video shorts along the lines of a cheesy 1980s music video made of you…
12:53 AM
Jeremy Bates, who’s helping her at Indian Wells, speaks…
On how she is and been since her US Open win…
“She’s in great shape…the whole world has changed, her life has changed. The time since the US Open has been good for her. She’s very excited and ambitious, she wants to play.”
On how she’s coped with the new-found attention…
“She’s incredibly mature, that’s come across with how she’s coped with the increased attention. She’s a natural competitor, she wants to win and wants to learn. She’s taken everything in her stride.”
On what she needs from a coach…
“There’s a lot that goes into that relationship…she needs someone intelligent and who will help her continue to learn.”
12:44 AM
Earlier today
Both Iga Swiatek and Simona Halep won their matches. Remember Raducanu is due to face her hero Halep should she match the third round.
12:31 AM
The Brits are taking over Indian Wells this morning
12:25 AM
Raducanu is due on court at roughly 2am
Which gives you plenty of time to brew some coffee and read this lovely piece on Britain’s newest sporting sensation by our very own Simon Briggs.
Having memorably won in New York last month the 18 year old faces new challenges. How can she overcome them, what perils lie in her path? Have a read of this to find out – Emma Raducanu: her six steps to world domination
12:09 AM
Who is Aliaksandra Sasnovich?
Raducanu’s opponent is hails from Belarus. She is 27 years old and is at 100 in the world rankings. She has been as high as 30th but is without a career WTA title. You may remember her from Wimbledon this year when she was the opponent of Serena Williams when the American was forced to hobble out of the championship having slipped on the damp Centre Court.
12:04 AM
From unknown to No.1 attraction in a matter of months
10:44 PM
The next chapter begins
Two months ago the idea that Emma Raducanu’s first match at Indian Wells would be worthy of the accolade of a Telegraph Sport live blog at 2am in the morning would have been understandably laughed at. But the fact I am here about to bring you game-by-game updates of her clash against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in California is testament to what the 18 year old achieved at the US Open.
It was one of the the greatest moments in British sport. Raducanu had only featured in two regular tour events previously, came through qualifying and didn’t drop a set (or indeed face a tie-break) on her way to winning the New York grand slam. When you sit back and think about it it still seems beyond belief.
Indeed if two months ago you had been told that Raducanu would not only be at this ‘fifth major’ but get a bye through to the second round (courtesy of her world ranking of 22) you would have rightly been incredulous. But today sees the second chapter of the new era in British tennis – the Raducanu age.
This is her first match since that magical night in Queens when she beat Leylah Fernandez and to say it’s a clash that is widely anticipated is somewhat of an understatement. It’s important to remember that Raducanu is still green at this level – regardless of her US Open triumph. It is easy to forget, in the stupendous aftermath of the win in New York that the 18 year old has made only two previous appearances on the regular tour, and lost them both.
The one thing that is different about this morning’s match compared to any match Raducanu has played in since she made her WTA Tour debut in June is that she is now favourite. At every match at Flushing Meadows there was still the sense of her pushing boundaries with every unlikely win. That is the case no more. She is the favourite this morning, a bonafide star about to embark on what we all hope (sorry, journalistic impartially has gone slightly out the window (think that’s OK in a live blog at 2am…)) the start of a hugely grand slam-laden career.
Stay here for the first match of that post-US Open journey.