Britain’s Emma Raducanu will face Amanda Anisimova at the Australian Open on Thursday sky sports’ Jonathan Overend believes “a big achievement is coming.”

Raducanu overcame a serving problem to beat No. 26 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova on Tuesday and reach the second round in Melbourne.

The 22-year-old joked that her serve had “a mind of its own” as she hit 15 double faults, but in a shaky match she won 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 ( 7-2).

The Briton has struggled with injuries and form since his stunning success at the US Open in 2021, but sky sports tennis Commentator Overlund believes it would be a mistake to dismiss her.

“She is ready to achieve great results at the Grand Slam level in the future,” he said. “Yes, the serving needs to improve, but it’s all positive and it’s all going in the right direction.

“I believe Raducanu is on the verge of achieving another big achievement in the next few years and not to give up on her. It’s the attitude and the tennis that give me that belief.

“In the last few years we’ve seen players like Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff have to deal with two close sets and surviving when their serve breaks down, and I think they’re With two of the best in-form players in the world at the moment, Raducanu is not embarrassed.

“I think the really nice thing is that she continues to deal with these relatively minor setbacks with such good humor and humility.

“This is very important and refreshing to see in the competitive world of professional sports, where many athletes can become so nervous and irritable whenever criticism is raised. Raducanu seemed to be smiling through it Hard times, it’s great to see something like this happen. “It’s encouraging. “

Raducanu’s next opponent is Melbourne’s Anisimova, who shocked the tennis world in 2019 by reaching the French Open semifinals at just 17 years old.

The American has not replicated such a performance since a Grand Slam, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2022, but she had finished fourth in Australia four times before that Round – This is something Raducanu has never done, she has yet to get beyond the second round. Round bottom.

The Briton said she knew she would face a tough match.

“I know she’s a good hitter. She hits the ball really hard,” Raducanu told the media.

“I’ve practiced with her a few times. She likes to give orders, so I think it will certainly be a big challenge for me.

“She’s had some amazing runs, too. She broke out early. I’m looking forward to getting out there and testing my game and seeing where I’m at.”

Raducanu admitted that two areas she needs to focus on are her serve and her conditioning.

“I’m not sure what changed with my serve. I think it had a mind of its own. I’m definitely going to reflect on that and look at that,” she said.

“I think in the first set, I hit a lot of good first serves. I hit some aces. At the same time, I hit a double fault. I was very accepting of that: ‘Okay, I’ll at least go for it’.

“I think as the ball gets heavier, it becomes more difficult. More things keep happening and it’s not easy to refocus, but I know that even if I’m down, I’ll be rewarded well. Being able to do that is nice and also relies on other parts of the game that I know are really strong.

“I’m proud that I didn’t let it get to me too much and didn’t let the game get away from me.”

Regarding her physical attributes, Raducanu added: “I’m a very flexible and mobile person. I think that’s where a lot of my troubles in the past have come from, not necessarily strength in the end range.

“That’s what I’m working on right now, trying to limit any issues and injuries. We’re just getting started, so I want to see how it goes.”

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