Emma Raducanu destroys Shelby Rogers 6-3, 6-2 in her opening match in Australian Open

Emma Raducanu made light work of American Shelby Rogers with a 6-3, 6-2 first round victory at the Australian Open 2024, 12 months on from her last Grand Slam appearance. Raducanu, who made her return to tennis two weeks ago after eight months out to have surgery on both wrists and one ankle, put in an aggressive display, as she did at the Auckland Classic earlier this month. The 21-year-old will play China's Wang Yafen in the next round on Thursday, and if she wins that, it's possible there will be an all-British class in the last 32 between Raducanu and Katie Bolter, who progressed earlier on Tuesday. Raducanu beat Rogers in the fourth round of the 2021 US Open on her way to a memorable Grand Slam title at the age of 19. That match was also won in straight sets, and it was a similar story to an A-half years on. With the crowd on her side, Raducanu broke in the third game, and comfortably held her serve to take the opening set. She broke at the start of the second, and took a crucial hold when Rogers got back to deuce on multiple occasions, but wasn't able to make a break point opportunity. Raducanu made it a double break in the fifth game, and continued to hold serve, as she reached the second round in Melbourne for a third consecutive year. Emma was outstanding in every sectors of that match. Her backhand and energetic serve helps her to win the match. Emma Raducanu and Katie Bolter joined fellow Brits Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper in the second round of the Australian Open, after both players won in straight sets.