Raducanu wins first match in China

Emma Raducanu achieved a personal breakthrough on Saturday, with the half-Chinese Brit winning her first WTA-level match in the home country of her mother.

The British No. 1 advanced 6-3 6-3 over Spain’s Cristina Busca, repeating a defeat of the Spaniard from Queen’s club in June.

Raducanu saved six break points – four in the first game – to establish early superiority and advance to the third round after an opening bye.

Victory moves the 2021 US Open champion into a clash with third-seeded Jessica Pegula, dubbed “Big Rich” by fans in China due to her family’s billionaire status.

Raducanu was playing her first WTA event in China after several trips to South Korea for tournaments,

“Super difficult, Cristina was playing amazing,” Raducanu told Sky. “I’m very happy to have gotten over it and after a tough one last week to bounce back. 

“I really want to do well here. I’m half Chinese so it’s great to come back here,” she added before addressing local fans in Mandarin.

Raducanu was joined in the third round by fellow Briton Sonay Kartal, who lost just three games as she upset 14th seed Daria Kasatkina; she earned a match with a second straight Aussie in Maya Joint.

Top seed Iga Swiatek crushed local player Yue Yuan 6-0 6-3 while China’s Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen returned from elbow surgery to defeat Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2.

Main photo:- Half-Chinese Emma Raducanu breaks her duck in China – WTATennis.com