Raducanu rolls past Rogers in stylish slam comeback

As the sun set on Melbourne Park and its three-day opening round of play yesterday, Emma Raducanu marked her return to grand slam competition with a strong performance and an invaluable win as she defeated Shelby Rogers in convincing fashion to reach the second round.

- Tumaini Carayol

E Raducanu  66
GB

S Rogers  32
US

Following an eight-month layoff after surgery on both of her hands and an ankle in April, Raducanu's first grand slam victory in 12 months represented another positive step forward as she looks to reestablish herself among the best players in the world. Having returned to competition in Auckland in the first week of January, this is Raducanu's second win of her comeback.

"I'm very happy to have come through that," Raducanu said. "I think being my first slam match back, it is definitely a little bit extra sweet." Since the significant first meeting between Raducanu and Rogers at the 2021 US Open, which Rogers set up with a career-best win against Ash Barty, the then world No 1, before Raducanu dismantled Rogers 6-2, 6-1 en route to the title, so much has changed for both players. While Raducanu missed eight months because of her operations, Rogers also underwent surgery last summer and the American had not played since Wimbledon.

Raducanu's appearance at the Australian Open had initially been surrounded by question marks after her withdrawal from her scheduled pre-tournament exhibitions but, by the end of the week, her numerous intense training sessions and high praise from players who practised with her underlined that she was ready.