'I honestly haven’t practised with a lefty': Emma Raducanu proud of adjustment in Rome victory

Emma Raducanu once again had a great performance at the Rome Open and advanced to the third round of the tournament after defeating lucky loser Jil Teichmann 6-2, 6-2. The Brit was expecting to face the 24th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, but the Russian withdrew from the tournament shortly before entering the court.

This led to the entry of Swiss player Teichmann, who had fallen to Hailey Baptiste in the second round of qualifying, managing to start her journey in the main draw in the second round. The left-handed player could do little against Raducanu, who had to overcome a last-minute change of plans.

The 2021 US Open champion had prepared for her match against Alexandrova by training with Mirra Andreeva, as she herself revealed. Both Russians have a traditional playing style based on their power, with good service games and seeking aggressive play from the baseline, both with their forehand and backhand.

“I was warming up for my match against Alexandrova, practising with Mirra [Andreeva], and all of a sudden I get told I’m playing Jil and then, on top of that. She’s a lefty. So it’s a completely different challenge."

Teichmann is a player whose playing style is very different from the Russians. She is one of the few left-handed players in the top 100, and she also seeks more variety, incorporating changes of pace and subtle touches as an essential part of her game.

“I honestly haven’t practised with a lefty; I haven’t played one since [Marketa] Vondrousova in February in Abu Dhabi. So it was a challenge. First few games I was adjusting to the way the ball curls, but I’m really proud of myself, how I fought through.”

Raducanu has a 6-3 record against left-handed players, including the victory in the 2021 US Open final against Leylah Fernandez. Other left-handed players Raducanu has defeated include Marketa Vondrousova (1-2), Beatriz Haddad Maia (1-0) and Angelique Kerber (1-0).