Out of sorts Raducanu blown away in Indian Wells return

Although only three places apart in the WTA rankings, World No. 55 Emma Raducanu lost easily to No. 52 Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open 3-6, 2-6.

This was Raducanu’s first appearance since her stalking ordeal in Dubai and was given enhanced security at the WTA event in California, and glanced several times around the vast arena as she arrived on court.

When the match got underway in windy  conditions  in the Californian desert, Raducanu looked ill at ease

A string of unforced errors by the 22 year old Briton allowed Uchijima to control the game from start to finish.

2021 US Open champion Raducanu faced break points in her first six service games.

Five of those games ended with Raducanu dropping serve as she trailed by a set and a break to the Japanese.

With Raducanu clearly out of sorts she failed to convert any of three chances to break back for 3-3.

Uchijima hung on to hold, and Raducanu failed to win another point and left the court having lost for a sixth time in her nine matches this year.

“I’m just super happy the way I performed,” Uchijima said afterwards. “It was really windy today, tough conditions for both of us, and I know Emma is a great player.

I’m just happy to share the court with her. It’s my first Indian Wells and I cannot imagine a better debut on Stadium 1 and playing my best tennis. 

“I tried to stay mentally tough because the wind we can’t control, I tried to focus on things I could control and I think I stayed in the tough moments really well and kept my focus until the end.”

She faces Coco Gauff in the second round.

In her  post match interview  Raducanu said “I didn’t feel anxious about any of the scenarios that have happened recently,”

“I think I had a good preparation with good people around.”

She added: “I didn’t have what happened in Dubai in my head at all today.

“I think today was just a bit of a curveball. I guess it’s just nice, I’m just going to move on.

Main photo:- Moyuka Uchijima winning first round match