Emma Raducanu ended her three-year wait for a French Open win with a gritty three-set victory over Wang Xinyu. The match, lasting nearly three hours, showcased Raducanu’s resilience as she battled through physical challenges and intense rallies.
Despite losing momentum in the second set, the 22-year-old Brit regained control in the decider to secure a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win. Her victory marked just her second career triumph at Roland Garros and her first since 2022.
Raducanu, who had withdrawn from the 2023 and 2024 editions due to injury and scheduling, now provisionally moves to world No 37. This places her on the brink of re-entering the WTA top 40.
Her next test will be a daunting one: a second-round clash against three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek. Though Swiatek leads their head-to-head 4-0, Raducanu remains optimistic, embracing the challenge with confidence and no added pressure.
