Emma Raducanu explains what she found ‘extremely difficult’ about her first round match at the Canadian Open

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Emma Raducanu has been able to overcome some challengers in her first round win at the Canadian Open.

Raducanu overcame illness to reach the Washington Open semifinals for the first time last week, continuing her improved form on the WTA Tour.

It was not just the singles event where the Brit impressed, with Raducanu partnering Elena Rybakina to reach the doubles semifinals.

After Raducanu’s singles run came to an end following her semifinal defeat to Anna Kalinskaya, she had a quick turnaround to prepare for her first round match at the Canadian Open.

Emma Raducanu admits finding her match against Elena-Gabriela Ruse

While the quick turnaround was one challenge for Raducanu, she actually admitted there was something else she found particularly difficult about her debut match in Montreal against Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

Raducanu beat her good friend Ruse, 6-2 6-4, in her first round match at the Canadian Open and in the on-court interview after the match she explained how she had to compartmentalise to focus on the task in hand.

“I am so happy to have come through that,” said Raducanu. “I know Elena, she is a very good friend of mine and it’s very difficult to play someone who you are close to so I am proud of how I put that to one side for the match and also backed up a good week last week in DC and performed well today.”

Following her admission, Raducanu was then further asked how it feels playing someone you have a close relationship with, as she went on to explain how she felt when seeing Ruse’s name next to hers in the draw.

“It is extremely difficult,” added Raducanu. “We spent a lot of time together off court in practices, she is a great girl, so it’s not nice when you have to see her name in the draw but I’m really pleased with how I performed myself.”

Emma Raducanu vs Peyton Stearns Head-to-Head

Following her first round win over Ruse, Raducanu will now play 32nd seed Peyton Stearns, who lost to Venus Williams at the Washington Open last week.

This will be a third meeting between Raducanu and Stearns, with the 2021 US Open champion leading the head-to-head 2-0.

Both of those previous meetings have been close-fought straight set wins for Raducanu, both taking place last year in Washington D.C. and Seoul.

Raducanu will look to continue her improved form against Stearns when they play their second round match at the Canadian Open on Wednesday, July 30.

The 22-year-old will also have her eyes on ranking points, as Raducanu looks to be seeded for the US Open.