RAD RUNS HOT

Fit-again Emma fired up and hungry for more after 'sweet' victory

- NEIL MCLEMAN

EMMA RADUCANU said her first Grand Slam win in a year was "extra sweet" after her long injury layoff.

And the 2021 US Open champion now has the chance to face Katie Boulter in a Battle of Britain if she reaches the third round of a Major for the first time since her shock New York triumph.

Her playing career as a Grand Slam champion has been dogged by injuries and her return after eight months out following wrist and ankle surgery came as recently as this month.

But she had the fortune to draw world No.156 Shelby Rogers, the American who has been out since Wimbledon with her own injuries, in the opening round.

After needing only 76 minutes to win 6-3 6-2, Raducanu will now face China's Yafan Wang after the world No.94 shocked the seeded Sorana Cirstea. The winner will face either British No.1 Boulter or No.12 seed Qinwen Zheng.