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*Gauff 6-3, 2-1 Radukanu (*denotes next server)
Both players have increased their levels and Radukanu is making more mistakes as she is forced to find even higher speeds. This takes a victim and a lame double fault gives Gauff three break points. Radukanu shows fight by winning the next two and but it’s obvious that she’s pushing her stomach every now and then like she’s having a problem. This perhaps has an effect on her serve, which lacks power and another double gives Gauff the break.
Gauff 6-3, 1-1 Radukanu* (*denotes next server)
A bit of net rope luck and a series of strong groundstrokes, eventually forcing a Gauff error, brought Radukanu to 30-30. But the American has power and hits a crosscourt backhand that is too lively. After another fierce rally, Radukanu finally blinked first and slammed a backhand into the net. Gauff holds for 1-1.
*Gauff 6-3, 0-0 Radukanu (*denotes next server)
Holding serve is imperative for Radukanu in this opening game of the second set and she quickly moves to 40-0 after another forehand error. Gauff finds the net and that will do the trick.
Gauff wins the first set against Radukanu 6-3
Gauff 6-3 Raducanu* (*denotes next server)
Gauff takes the first two points, but Radukanu’s ferocious forehand makes the Americans fight back: 30-15. Gauff puts a hand over her mouth in semi-shock as she makes an unforced error for 30-30 and another goes on to give Raducanu a break point. Gauff saved it with a crosscourt backhand, prompting a shout of “come on” and she echoed the shout after holding another. Radukanu won a third break point, ending a match-best rally with a forehand down the line, but Gauff’s big serve kept the Brit at bay again. Radukanu’s fearless return denied Gauf a first set point, but Guaf’s serve was too heavy and the American deservedly closed out the first set.
Coco Gauff celebrates the victory by taking the first set. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Updated at 09.11 GMT
*Gauff 5-3 Raducanu (*denotes next server)
Not exactly a full Rod Laver crowd tonight, although a few are wandering back now. Radukanu must hold to stay in this first set and win the first point as Gauff went long with a backhand. Radukanu was still chasing her shots and got Gauff to play before she put away an errant backhand for 30-0. That’s better! Another backhand winner moves Radukanu to 40-0 before Gauff hits a high-speed forehand for one of her own. But it’s Raducanu’s game and Gauff finds the net on the next point as Raducanu holds to 15.
Spectators watch as Emma Radukanu fires a rebound past Coco Gauff. Photo: Carl Recine/Reuters
Updated at 09.01 GMT
Gauff 5-2 Raducanu* (*denotes next server)
Radukanu fends off a backhand crosscourt winner to make it 15-30 and sniffs out a second consecutive break in response. But there are too many mistakes creeping in from the Brit and Gauff doesn’t have to work as hard as he might for points. The American wins the next three to move 5-2 ahead.
*Gauff 4-2 Raducanu (*denotes next server)
Third interruption in a row! Great reactions at the net from Gauff after Raducanu hit her body and boosted, the American moved to 0-30. Pressure on Radukanu’s serve again. Gaugh senses a kill and for the fourth game in a row we have break points. Radukanu has two to save but can only manage one as her forehand loops are too long at 30-40.
Updated at 08.44 GMT
Gauff 3-2 Raducanu* (*denotes next server)
Radukanu strikes back! Radukanu shows his fighting qualities and moves to 0-30 with a forehand at the net and a high looping backhand volley that Gauff can’t believe is landing. Can she come back right away? Gauff’s heavy serve and huge backhand help her win the next three points, but she volleys her forehand into the net for deuce. Raducanu secures a break point that Gauff manages to avoid, but the Brit’s aggression forces the American to double fault on the next.
Emma Radukanu stretches for the rebound. Photo: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Updated at 08.47 GMT
*Gauff 3-1 Raducanu (*denotes next server)
Gauff interrupts! The seventh seed’s backhand is truly a weapon and is now starting to do the damage. This helps the American race to 0-40 and on the verge of the first breakthrough. Gauff fires a forehand into the net, but Radukanu rushes in with a backhand and loses serve at 15.
Rafael Nadal drops out! Yes, we already had drama today with the top seed and defending men’s champion losing in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald. Toumaini Carayol was at Melbourne Park to see Nadal’s body betray him once again.
Gauff 1-2 Raducanu* (*denotes next server)
Gauff’s forehand is slightly her weaker side and two unforced errors gave Radukanu a 30-15 advantage before she secured two break points with a ferocious down the line. Gauff survived the first with an ace before a slick, bouncing second serve into the body of Radukanu took game three to deuce. Gauff wins the next two points, finishing with a heavy serve that Radukanu can’t handle. 2-1 for the American at the start.
*Gauff 1-1 Raducanu (*denotes next server)
A rather unusual double fault got Radukanu off to an inauspicious start in her opening service game and Gauff went 0-30 before a heavy second serve from the 2021 US Open champion made it 15-30. From there, Radukanu went on a rampage, winning the next four points to level the score at 1-1.
Gauff 1-0 Raducanu* (*denotes next server)
Radukanu wins the toss and elects to field first. Both players unleashed powerful shots from the ground in a spirited opening rally before Radukanu found the net. Gauff’s serve is quick and accurate and the American takes the opening game comfortably only to lose a point.
Coco Gauff shoots with a forehand. Photo: Carl Recine/Reuters
Updated at 08.28 GMT
Gauff and Radukanu now strike. In some context, the American is a favorite among the bookies, but we don’t have much direct form to go on. Actually, there isn’t one. Radukanu and Gauff have never even trained together, never mind played a competitive match.
Coco Gauff (left) and Emma Radukanu pose next to a kid for a photo before their second round match. Photo: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Updated at 08.23 GMT
Preamble
Good morning/evening! It’s just past 8am UK time and 7pm Melbourne time and we’re not far from Emma Radukanu’s second round match against seventh seed Coco Gauff. Indeed, as I write, they are entering the Rod Laver era. Radukanu has a strap on her left ankle, but she downplayed the injury before the match. We already had drama on day three, which we’ll get to in a moment. Okay, let’s go!
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