Emma Raducanu defeated Anna Blinkova, 6-0, 6-3, in the first round of the Queen’s Club Championships.
Returning home, Raducanu returned to winning ways, picking up her first victory in 95 days.
The Briton was too strong for Blinkova, booking her place in the second round, where she will meet Sorana Cirstea.
What would be a good grass-court season for Emma Raducanu?
Finally back in the win column!
During BBC Sports’ post-match coverage, Annabel Croft delivered her verdict on Raducanu’s performance.
Annabel Croft says Emma Raducanu was ‘really convincing’ in her first match on grass this year
“It was really convincing. She said herself that she had not won a match for months on the Tour, but she could not have played [better], in terms of middling the ball, crushing it out of the centre of the racket, the timing was so sweet, the serving looked pretty good,” said Croft.
“She had that wobble with the three double faults, but I thought the direction was fantastic. Then the returns of serve were fantastic.
Emma Raducanu vs Anna Blinkova – Match stats
| Stats | Emma Raducanu | Anna Blinkova |
| Aces | 2 | 2 |
| Double faults | 3 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% | 68% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 72% | 30% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 75% | 50% |
| Break points | 6/8 | 2/2 |
“She swamped her opponent. You can only beat who is down the other end of the court, and in terms of first-round wins, it could not have been any better.
“You have to remember her opponent was pretty low level for a lot of the match and couldn’t find any depth on the ball.
“I think she will be tested more in the second round, but that doesn’t matter; she has that first win under the belt.”
Raducanu’s Billie Jean King Cup captain, Anne Keothavong, was also keen to share her thoughts.
“I was impressed,” she said.
“I really liked what I saw from Emma. She showed good composure. She had the greater weight of shot.
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“Blinkova really could not hurt her in those baseline exchanges or find any depth to trouble Emma.
“She controlled the points really well; I don’t think she could be any happier. It was the first match on grass this year, and it was a pretty convincing one.”
Emma Raducanu’s record on hard, clay, and grass in 2026
- Hard: 7-7 (50%)
- Clay: 0-2 (0%)
- Grass: 1-0 (100%)
Croft then commented on Raducanu’s forehand, which powered her to victory against Blinkova.
“It could not have looked any better, I don’t think,” she said.
“She has a lot of shape on it, which makes it so beautiful. It’s a free swing, and sometimes she gets a bit of curve where she takes opponents out of court, and she was really on top of the rally.
“I think with grass, so much is about your footwork to get behind the ball.
“She was getting that ball out in front with space between her and the ball, I thought she could not have hit it any better.”
Raducanu impressed in her opening match, but will know that tougher tests lie ahead.
What happened the last time Emma Raducanu played Sorana Cirstea?
Raducanu and Cirstea met in the Transylvania Open final earlier this year.
Looking to win her first title since the 2021 US Open, Raducanu made a poor start against the Romanian.
Raducanu lost the first set 6-0 and didn’t fare much better in the second.
The Briton lost 6-0, 6-2, in an hour and three minutes.
Cirstea dominated Raducanu in February, but was complimentary towards the former Grand Slam champion during the trophy ceremonies.
“Congratulations on a wonderful week,” she said.
“We are extremely happy to have you here in Cluj, and I hope you will come back and lift this trophy one day.”
Cirstea wants the best for Raducanu, but maybe not on Wednesday, when they meet with a place in the Queen’s Club Championships quarter-finals up for grabs!
