It was always clear in the aftermath of Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory that it would take time for her to adjust to the rigours of professional tennis, a process that has defined the start of her season. After struggling with a series of different ailments, Raducanu arrived in Indian Wells still recovering from a left leg injury sustained in Guadalajara last month. Days before the BNP Paribas Open began, she was not certain of her participation.
But when Raducanu did step out on to the court on Friday, she was ready. The 19-year-old started by producing one of her best sets of tennis since New York and in the turbulent three-set match that followed, she toiled through to defeat Caroline Garcia 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 and reach the third round in Indian Wells.
