Raducanu celebrates No 1 status with win at Queen's

No wonder Emma Raducanu started off her second-round contest at Queen’s in a blaze of glory. Like a firecracker, ready to ignite, eager to land in today’s quarter-finals.

- KIERAN JACKSON

A few hours earlier, the 22-year-old learned that, when the new WTA rankings are released on Monday, she will be back as British No 1. Raducanu will replace Katie Boulter, her “BoulterCanu” doubles partner this week, at the top of British women’s tennis. A blessing or a curse? Either way, it’s all just in time for all the hoopla and hype of Wimbledon in a few weeks.

Yet to yesterday and west London, where she still had matters to attend to on-court in the form of Slovak world No 41 Rebecca Sramkova, who is four places below her in the current world rankings. And, in essence, what the near sellout crowd were greeted to was a 76-minute sampler of what makes Raducanu such a thrilling prospect on the grass. Thrilling, and baffling, in somewhat equal measure.

The good? A scintillating opening 20 minutes, steamrolling to a 5-0 lead, middling every shot and taking authoritative control of every rally. There was, undoubtedly, oomph in her movement and persona. But, the bad? In an instant, she lost her mojo, was broken twice, and ultimately only squeezed to the first-set finish line. It was the sort of 15-minute blip she can ill-afford if she wants to make progress deep in tournaments this summer. Fortunately, the second set was more routine as Sramkova lost her way, and a 6-4 6-1 victory in the end was just reward for a lightning quick start.