Teenage US Open champion Emma Raducanu made a memorable debut at the Australian Open as she sent Sloane Stephens crashing out on Tuesday.
Raducanu became an overnight sensation by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title in New York last year, but had won only two matches since.
However, the 19-year-old was back to her best on Margaret Court Arena, defeating American Stephens 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 in a show of grit and determination.
The British teenager raced through the opening set in 17 minutes, leaking only four points. But the 2017 US Open champion Stephens hit back to take charge of the second set from 2-2, reeling off four games as errors began creeping into Raducanu's game.
Then, Raducanu regained her composure and found another gear to dominate the decider with some precision baseline hitting.
Stephens avoided another rout as she held serve at 0-5 but that was it as Raducanu closed out the win on serve despite a sixth double-fault on her first match point.
“It was a tough match-up for a first round, her athleticism is right up there, so I'm just happy to get through,” Raducanu said.
“In the first set I played some great tennis with very few errors. Of course there was going to be some adversity and I was happy to regroup in the third set.
“I don't think the score reflected the match really as I was really feeling it.”
Stephens was ranked just 67, but had plenty of experience, reaching at least the quarter-finals at all four Slams. However, she has struggled in Melbourne since reaching the last four in 2013, slumping in the first round now on six occasions since.
Meanwhile, second seed Aryna Sabalenka appeared to be on the way out before she rallied from a set and a break down, winning nine straight games before completing a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 win over No128 Storm Sanders.
Third seed Garbine Muguruza, meanwhile, kept a perfect streak intact when she won her first-round match at the Australian Open for the 10th straight time, beating Clara Burel 6-3, 6-4.
“Very tricky. You’re always nervous going out there on Rod Laver, which I love, and starting a Grand Slam campaign,” Muguruza said. “Very happy the way I played and, of course, controlling the nerves.”
Other winners included No6 Anett Kontaveit, 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek, 2021 French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, two-time major winner Simona Halep and 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur, who rallied to beat Robin Anderson 6-7, 6-3, 6-3 to start her 20th — and last — Australian Open singles campaign.
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
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Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
