However the momentum swung in Stephens’ favor within the second set because the American broke Raducanu on three events to stage Tuesday’s match.
Battling via some lengthy rallies within the ultimate set, Raducanu moved right into a 5-0 lead and went on to wrap up the match simply earlier than midnight (8 a.m. ET) in Melbourne.
“Each me and Sloane actually put all the things on the market and gave all of it we had,” Nice Britain’s Raducanu stated throughout her on-court interview.
“I believed it was a extremely high-quality match with some very lengthy rallies. I am very joyful to have come via towards such a terrific champion like her.”
In December, she examined optimistic for Covid-19 forward of an exhibition occasion in Abu Dhabi and returned to motion in Sydney earlier this month.
Her subsequent match on the Australian Open will likely be towards Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, with two-time grand slam champion Simona Halep a possible opponent within the third spherical.
One other British participant, Andy Murray, additionally acquired off to a profitable begin on Tuesday as he outlasted Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7 6-4.
Enjoying in his first Australian Open since 2019, Murray beat Basilashvili for the second time within the house of every week having additionally triumphed in Sydney within the build-up to the Australian Open.
This time, the three-time grand slam champion exhibited the identical grit and resolve that has characterised Murray’s taking part in profession.
“It has been a tricky, robust three, 4 years. Put in plenty of work to get again right here,” stated Murray, who thought of retiring after the Australian Open three years in the past earlier than present process career-saving hip surgical procedure.
“That is the one the place I believed probably I performed my final match, however superb to be again profitable a five-set battle like that. Could not ask for any extra.”
There was additionally a straight-sets victory for dwelling favourite Nick Kyrgios towards Britain’s Liam Broady to arrange a second-round conflict towards Medvedev.
