Raducanu led 3-1 with a break within the first set, however her sixth double fault to ship it again on serve drew groans from her many supporters at Melbourne Park.
Worse was to observe.
Raducanu hit three extra double faults in a poor ninth recreation, permitting Alexandrova to maneuver forward for the primary time within the match at 5-4.
However the Russian couldn’t serve out and paid the worth as Raducanu performed an outstanding first tie-break.
Raducanu appeared to have settled down within the second set, transferring an early break up and confidently holding for a 3-2 lead.
Then the double faults reappeared.
Three extra within the sixth recreation heaped on the strain, however Raducanu scrambled to save lots of two break factors earlier than Alexandrova did take her serve for 4-4.
After failing to serve out at 5-4, Raducanu saved a set level within the twelfth recreation with a primary serve which Alexandrova – an aggressive ball-striker who reduce a demonstrative determine – whacked a backhand lengthy.
Raducanu once more dominated the tie-break, racing 6-0 forward and clinched victory on her third match level – after hitting a double fault on the primary.
“That was the cherry on the highest,” Raducanu laughed.
On stepping up within the tie-breaks, she added: “I believe that’s certainly one of my strengths.
“When it will get to these clutch moments, I relish enjoying in that.”
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, 2025-01-14 04:59:00
