Billie Jean King Cup: Emma Raducanu beats Tereza Martincova on competition and clay debut | Tennis News

Emma Raducanu won her first professional match on clay 7-5 7-5 against Tereza Martincova in the second rubber of the day in Prague; Harriet Dart fell to Marketa Vondrousova in the opening rubber

Emma Raducanu’s victory ensures Britain end the first day level with the Czech team

Emma Raducanu has made a winning start to her Billie Jean King Cup career and won her first professional match on clay with a 7-5 7-5 victory over Czech Republic’s Tereza Martincova.

Raducanu’s victory ensured Britain ended the first day of play level at 1-1 at the Cesky club in Prague, following Harriet Dart’s earlier 6-1 6-0 defeat to Marketa Vondrousova.

The 19-year-old British No 1 had not played a match on clay since the French Open Juniors in 2018, but rose to the challenge impressively.

Raducanu had to show all her battling qualities, saving a set point at 4-5 in the opening set and then fighting back from 1-4 down in the second to give Anne Keothavong’s team hope after ending the day locked at 1-1.

“This one means so much to me,” Raducanu said on-court after her victory.

“It’s my first Billie Jean King Cup match and to represent my team on a clay court, in my first professional match on clay, it’s really amazing.

“We’re still in this, we’re still in this battle and it’s all to play for tomorrow.”

More to follow…