Madrid Open: Raducanu beats Lamens, moves into second round

Emma Raducanu posted her first win on outdoor clay courts since 2022 after coming from a break down in both sets to defeat Suzan Lamens 7-6(4), 6-4 in the Mutua Madrid Open first round.

The former US Open champion missed most of the 2023 clay swing due to multiple wrist and ankle surgeries, then cut short her 2024 season on the dirt after falling in her Madrid opener to Maria Lourdes Carle.

This year, Raducanu had been handed a tough draw in the form of No. 73-ranked Lamens. The 25-year-old Dutchwoman captured her first Hologic WTA Tour title in Osaka last October, and is fresh off a run to last week’s Rouen semifinals (including wins over Bianca Andreescu and Linda Noskova.

Lamens’ shot-making, particularly from her forehand wing, proved to be a stern test throughout the match. However, it was Raducanu who was more clutch in the most important moments, edging a tight opening tiebreak then reeling Lamens in from 2-0 down in the second set.

The Briton will next face No. 24 seed Marta Kostyuk in the second round. The pair previously met at the same stage of the tournament in 2022, with Raducanu winning 6-2, 6-1 to level their overall head-to-head at one win apiece.