Emma Raducanu romps to Indian Wells first round win as Mark Petchey act speaks volumes

Emma Raducanu began her Indian Wells Open campaign with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over Anastasia Zakharova. In the build-up to her first match in California, Raducanu, 23, reunited with mentor Mark Petchey.

The reunion with Petchey proceeded a seventh coaching change which saw her part with Francisco Roig, not long after her frustrating second round exit at the Australian Open to Anastasia Popova. With Petchey in her coaching box, Raducanu strode onto Court No. 4 with purpose and aggressive intent. Against serve, Raducanu was ruthless, and on serve, she was even more aggressive, peppering Zakharova's forehand with venomous serves out wide. The 2021 US Open winner created two break-point opportunities and took them both to take the first set 6-1.

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Petchey also made his presence known in Raducanu's player's box with his antics during the match. He was rarely sat down throughout the first set and could be seen shouting words of encouragement and cheering Raducanu's winners and aces.

Considering the dearth in quality between Raducanu and Zakharova, he did not really have to say much to inspire the Brit to victory. When explaining why she and Roig parted ways, the World No. 23 admitted there were disagreements about her playing style and how she should be competing on the court.

Against Zakharova, Raducanu looked to dominate from the baseline, particularly when it came to returning the Russian's serve. Many of Raducanu's setbacks have involved her starting matches strongly, before slowing down in the later sets, but in Indian Wells, she began the second set with the same agressive intent and venom.

To be the first to receive the latest tennis news, join ourWhatsApp community ortennis newsletter

Having trailed Zakharova's serve 40-15, Raducanu fought back to deuce and may have created another break point, had the qualifier's forehand not bobbled over to the Brit's side of the court after clipping the net chord.

While Zakharaova had to struggle to win her service game, Raducanu held her's to love in an emphatic hold which featured two winners and an ace. She carried this confidence into Zakharova's next service game and, before the Russian knew it, she was a break down in the second set as Raducanu broke at 15-40 and then followed up by holding serve.

Petchey kept on shouting encouragement from the stands as frustration crept into Zakharova's performance who only just held serve at 3-1 after Raducanu created two break point opportunities. After a short break, momentum suddenly shifted to the Russian who created two break point opportunities, only to lash a forehand and a backhand way long.

Raducanu held serve, but not long later, Zakharova eventually secured a break point in what was the only blip on an otherwise impressive display for the Brit. In the end, it was too little too late as Raducanu ensured she moved into the next round, where she will either face Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimoa or Anna Blinkova in round three.