Emma Raducanu finds serve at Nottingham Open that will allow her to compete with world's best (2024)

Flat forehand by Snigur drifts wide and Raducanu leads, 15-0. Snigur hits back with a big backhand down the line winner.

Raducanu nets a backhand, 15-30. Perfect swerving first serve down the T by Raducanu is an ace, 30-30.

Break point for Snigur is cancelled out by an unreturnable first serve. Match point Raducanu when Snigur’s return is long. Good rally by Snigur and she forces an error from Raducanu. Saved again with a backhand winner.

Second match point for Raduanu when Snigur nets a backhand. Aggressive tennis by Snigur and she finishes with a drive volley. Third match point ... GAME SET MATCH RADUCANU.

Raducanu books her place in the quarter-finals when Snigur defensive forehand on the run goes long.

Problems for Snigur after back-to-back forehands give Raducanu three break points. Snigur saves the first two. One more to go...

And Raducanu breaks. Deep return rushes Snigur and the Ukrainian nets a forehand to drop serve. Raducanu to serve for the match next.

Shot of the day from Raducanu as she steers a backhand down the line with her opponent going the other way, 30-15.

Raducanu is struggling with her ball toss as the wind picks up. Snigur gets a look at a second serve and drills backhand return which is too hot for Raducanu, break point.

Saved by Raducanu with a timely first serve. Big serve by Raducanu snuffs out another break point for Snigur, who has lifted her game at this stage of the match.

Raducanu bangs in another first serve, chalk flies up and the ball flies away for an ace. Gutsy hold by Raducanu.

Raducanu responds to a backhand winner by Snigur with an ace, 30-30. Her serve has been very impressive today. She’s won 75 per cent of first serve points and getting 65 per cent of first serves in play.

A serve into the body finds the line and Snigur nets her return. Break consolidated the task for Snigur gets even harder.

This has been a match short on rallies over six shots. Not sure whether that’s the court speed or the quality on display but nevertheless Snigur nets a forehand to give Raducanu a break point.

Double fault by Snigur and Raducanu breaks again.

Raducanu is creating so many openings for herself with the easy power she possesses in her game. Snigur is struggling to live with it. Another ace gives Raducanu three set points.

And at the first time of asking she takes it when Snigur’s backhand return goes wide. Opening set to the Briton.

Ideal service game by Raducanu as she holds to love and consolidates the break. She is getting a lot of joy serving out wide to Snigur and moves to six aces for the match already.

The crowd has been a bit muted but they enjoyed that quick hold.

Frustration from Raducanu after Snigur’s forehand is called in. She hasn’t liked the line calls this week. But she’s happier when a double fault by Snigur gives her two break points.

Snigur saves the first but not the second as a forehand into the net gives Raducanu the break.

Raducanu should be looking to impose herself on this match. She has more power in her groundstrokes and needs to stay patient, not look to hit winners off every short ball. First double fault of the match makes it 40-30 then a wild forehand makes it deuce.

Snigur picks up a break point when she puts a backhand after pulling Raducanu off the court. Saved by Raducanu when a backhand return down the line just misses.

Another break point for Snigur when Raducanu’s forehand pass drifts like. Credit to Raudanu, she is having to graft here, third ace of the match and she eventually holds when Snigur dumps a forehand into the net.

Immediate break back chance for Raducanu after Snigur’s backhand goes long. Deep return by Raducanu and Snigur can’t handle the pace and pushes her backhand into the tramlines.

Raducanu breaks back.

Careless start from Raducanu as she hits a drop shot into the tramlines. It didn’t need to be so close. Slight miscue on the forehand return by Snigur but it beats Raducanu and zips off the surface for a winner, 15-30.

Good response by Raducanu as she hits her first ace of the match to level the game but a backhand clips the net cord and flies wide to make it deuce.

Decent return by Snigur puts Raducanu on the backfoot and she nets a forehand, break point. Big ‘come on’ from Raducanu after wrong footing Snigur with a forehand winner. Poor backhand into the net by Raducanu gifts Snigur a second break point.

And a forehand into the net by Raducanu leads to a break of serve. Not the ideal start from Raducanu. Sloppy errors gifts her serve away.

Raducanu has won back-to-back matches just twice this year. Today is a winnable match for her to make it three times.

But Snigur makes a strong start, holding 15 and with little fuss. She hits a very flat ball. Couple of shots catching out Raducanu with its depth and weight.

Big smile on Raducanu’s face as she walks out on court after Snigur.

Raducanu wins the toss and opts to receive. Blustery conditions in Nottingham which could impact things.

Hello and welcome to coverage of Emma Raducanu’s second round match at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham.

The Briton made a strong start to her campaign when she beat Japanese-American qualifier Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-4.

Today she faces Ukrainian Daria Snigur for a place in the quarter-finals.

Raducanu said: “I remember playing her at the Under-12s Winter Cup in Romania. She’s a very unorthodox opponent to play. Someone with amazing hand skills. Really good at deflecting pace. Really good at making me move. She’s someone I grew up playing with in juniors.

“But I haven’t actually spent that much time on the court with her. She makes life very difficult for her opponents and it’s important that I focus on my end of the court. It’s very easy to get frustrated but I’m looking forward to playing and I feel good in myself.”

When asked if she has sympathy for her opponent, who resides in Poland due to Russia-Ukraine conflict, Raducanu said: “It’s not an easy situation at all. I do sympathise for her, for having to go through that. At the end of the day, when we’re on the court, it’s two people trying to beat each other and there’s nothing more to it.”

On Tuesday, Raducanu grew frustrated with line calls in her match, 24 hours after Harriet Dart called for electronic line technology at all tournaments.

“I feel this year Hawk-Eye has been a little bit off – I don’t know why,” said Raducanu. “I think there is a beauty in having all the linesmen and it does add to the drama for the spectators. For us it can be the most frustrating thing ever.”

With Wimbledon less than three weeks away, Raducanu will be keen to go deep into the event, get match practice and build confidence.