Back on track? Emma Raducanu finds stability in Rome victory - 'I want to keep the same mindset'

Emma Raducanu prepares for the third round of the Rome Open after defeating Jil Teichmann 6-2, 6-2. The former US Open champion had no trouble against the Swiss lucky loser, who entered after the withdrawal of Ekaterina Alexandrova, and will face Veronika Kudermetova in the third round.

The British No. 1 defeated the left-handed Teichmann in straight sets and just 82 minutes, and is beginning to get her season back on track. Raducanu recently rejoined forces – again – with Mark Petchey, and at 22 years old, she seems to be finding stability in her game.

For the former top-10 player, the recent adjustments she has made to her game have been key to securing the hard-fought victory. “Serving well, starting the point well and also hitting the ball when it is there to take on, especially with my forehand, using that. It is something that I wanted to do this week.”

“I said before the tournament that I want to use this period of the clay, of the next matches that I play, to try and play a game that will bridge the gap between where I am now and where I feel like I want to be,” she added. “I am doing that so far, the last two matches, and I just want to keep approaching the match with the same mindset.”

Raducanu also expressed her appreciation for her coach Mark Petchey, with whom she had worked during her junior years. “I am not biased but I think he is a great commentator. I love hearing him commentate,” she added. “He is someone that I actually want to listen to. Sometimes I watch tennis and I have to mute it! But whereas with him I love hearing what he has to say.”

“He is very interesting. He has obviously helped me a lot with everything, with the off court, with everything. “So we did some really good work as well in LA and I’m really happy with how it’s going.”