Emma Raducanu made a statement return to Grand Slam action as she swept Shelby Rogers aside at the Australian Open. In just her third match since April, the 21-year-old needed an hour and 15 minutes to come through 6-3 6-2. It means that the Brits remain undefeated on day three in Melbourne, with Raducanu joining Cameron Norrie, Jack Draper and Katie Boulter in the winners’ circle.
There were plenty of question marks surrounding Raducanu and Rogers’ tie as they stepped out onto the 1573 Arena for a rematch of their 2021 US Open clash, won by the Brit. Raducanu was playing her first Grand Slam match in a year while the American was competing in her first tournament since Wimbledon, with both women sidelined by injuries.
Although Raducanu ended her 2023 season earlier than Rogers – undergoing three surgeries in May – she had already played one tournament in Auckland two weeks ago, getting in some matches before the first Major of the season. And the extra preparation proved crucial as the 21-year-old secured the first break of the match, taking a 4-1 lead.
After a couple of tight opening service games, Raducanu dropped just one more point on serve after earning the break, taking the opener 6-3 in 37 minutes. It was a clinical display from the world No. 296, who fired down eight winners and 10 unforced errors compared to six and 17 from her opponent.
Raducanu continued to put pressure on the Rogers serve, with the 31-year-old still finding her feet after six months out of the game. The Brit started the second set with another break as her opponent’s error count continued to creep up.
Rogers started to find her feet, giving Raducanu more trouble in the next game as she got to deuce on the Brit’s serve for the first time. There was a brief interruption when a bug landed on the court and a ballkid attempted to chase it away but the 21-year-old stayed focused and took a 2-0 lead.
Just like their US Open fourth-round clash in 2021, Rogers struggled to win a game as Raducanu started to cruise towards victory and took a commanding double-break lead in the second set. It was still a better showing for the American this time around, as Raducanu dropped five games in their second meeting – having lost just three when they faced off in Flushing Meadows.
