Emma Raducanu is back in the win column by overpowering Rebeka Masarova comfortably in two sets at the 2024 Indian Wells Open.
The Brit last played at the Qatar Open in Doha, where she was outplayed by Anhelina Kalinina, who handed her a bagel. Raducanu was expected to bounce back at the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells due to some positive showings in the past, and she did just that.
Taking on Rebeka Masarova, Raducanu produced a really strong level to cruise past the Spaniard much easier than anybody really thought was likely.
The opening set started with an early break for the former US Open champion, and it really set the tone for the match. She would then add another break but also lose her serve once.
Her tennis can be amazing but is also quite volatile, with frequent serve losses. She would break once more, though, and cruise to the finish line, winning the opening set 6-2.
That final game of the opening set was a hold from 0-40 down, so it wasn't perfect play from the Brit, but she played well when she needed to, and that gave her the win.
She simply overpowered her opponent from the baseline far too often. Masarova is a very streaky hitter, and this wasn't her best day. Raducanu, who opened the second set with an early break as well, had a pretty good showing.
She would make it a double-break lead but failed to hold for a 4-0 lead in the second set. She did, however, hold for the 4-2 lead, which was good enough.
Raducanu was playing really well, and it was much needed. It's a huge win for her confidence because she was really playing without any kind of confidence in Doha.
From there, it was a comfortable cruise to the finish line, even though Raducanu missed out on a few chances to make it a shorter match. She would win it 6-2, 6-3 in the end, setting up a second-round clash with Dayana Yastremska.
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