Emma Raducanu was visibly emotional after beating Ann Li in Eastbourne. The British No. 1 secured a fantastic come-from-behind victory to start kickstart her final preparations for Wimbledon.

Down a set after losing a tiebreaker, Raducanu bravely battled back and took the second set 6-3. She then broke three times in a superb deciding set to progress to the second round on the south coast. As as backhand winner sealed Raducanu’s victory, the 2021 US Open champion covered her face and then began to wipe away tears. She placed her racket on the floor before shaking her opponent’s hand and thanking the crowd.

Raducanu was evidently proud of her performance in a hard-fought victory, remarking afterwards that the crowd had helped her through “sticky” parts of the match. She has also been struggling with a back injury.

Still holding back tears as she spoke on court, Raducanu said: “I feel incredible. I just want to thank the crowd for getting me through some really sticky moments. It really meant a lot to me and I was really proud of how I fought back after losing the first set. It was a tough match. Ann was hitting winners all over the place and it was obviously very windy. I’m just very, very happy to have come through that today, so thank you.

“[The crowd] were incredible. It was tough, it was up and down. I really felt from the middle of the second set that I found an extra gear. I’m really proud of how I came through that.”

Raducanu pulled out of the Berlin Open last week to nurse a back problem. Eastbourne presents her final opportunity to familiarise herself with the grass court ahead of Wimbledon.

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A positive year for Raducanu has seen her rise to No. 38 in the world rankings. She inherited Katie Boulter‘s crown of British No. 1 earlier this month. Providing her fitness issues are resolved, there is potential for her to match and then better her best Wimbledon performance of the fourth round, which she achieved in 2021 and then 2024.

She may be hoping to avoid Iga Swiatek at the All England Club, having been knocked out of both Grand Slams so far this year by the Polish star.

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