Home favourite Emma Raducanu returned to Wimbledon with a hard-working win over Renata Zarazua of Mexico 7-6 (0), 6-3 in the women’s singles first round on Monday. 

The rub of green went the former US Open champion’s way as she got an unexpected boost after 22nd seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, her first-round opponent, 

withdrew due to illness on the morning of her first-round match.

Renata Zarazua, a lucky loser, took Alexandrova’s place and Emma Raducanu managed to beat her in straight sets and make it the second round. 

Raducanu was cheered on by the local crowd at the center court after he managed to battle it out in the first set before breezing through the second. 

The local favourite made a cheeky reference to England football team’s performances at Euro 2024, saying it was a source of inspiration for her on her comeback run at Wimbledon.

“You have to just do what it takes to get over the line. Honestly watching the football last night, it was like winning ugly. 

It all counts!” Emma Raducanu said, sending the center crowd in ruptures.

David Beckham, who was part of the crowd, also broke into laughter as the cameras panned toward the football superstar after Raducanu’s comments. Raducanu referred to England’s laboured wins at Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate’s men survived a huge scare in the Round of 16 on Sunday as they came back from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1.

Gareth Southgate has faced criticism for England’s laidback approach at the European Championships. Former United defender Gary Neville compared the game to England’s humiliating last-16 exit to minnows Iceland at the 2016 European Championship.

“I was sat on a bench in Nice eight years ago when England played Iceland — this has got Iceland vibes written all over it,” he said on Sunday.

Raducanu has been supporting England men’s football team by wearing the official Three Lions shirt for training sessions at Wimbledon. Raducanu, who missed last year’s Wimbledon due to an ankle and knee surgery, headed into the grass-court Grand Slam with a lot of confidence after having beaten former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens and American world number five Jessica Pegula at Eastbourne last week. 

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Source: Tampa Bay Times