Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima LIVE: Latest score and updates from first round clash at Indian Wells
The 22-year-old played her first match since distressing incident with ‘fixated man’ in Dubai
Emma Raducanu’s return to court ended in defeat as she was beaten in straight sets by Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
Raducanu, who was playing in her first tournament since being accosted on court by a ‘fixated man’ in Dubai started strongly and broke Uchijima’s serve in the first game before opening up a 2-0 lead.
The Japanese then mastered the windy and hot conditions to rattle off four games in a row and eventually claim the first set 6-3.
The second set opened in similar fashion but it was Raducanu who was broken in the first game and from there she was on the backfoot. The Brit found it tough to truly challenge Uchijima’s serve and her accuracy was slightly off meaning she racked up a lot on unforced errors.
Uchijima remained composed. She held her serve and won crucial points to inch slowly towards victory before ending the match with a hold to love for a 6-3 6-2 victory.
The USA’s Coco Gauff waits for Uchijima in the next round while Raducanu will head to the training courts to prepare for the Miami Open.
Relive the updates from Indian Wells:
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 0-2 Moyuka Uchijima
This game needs to go Raducanu’s way. She’s quickly running out of options and the sooner she gets into a rhythm the better.
A good sign is that the Brit is landing quite a lot of her first serves and when she combines that when accuracy Uchijima is finding it tough to get serves back.
Contrastingly, for every great serve there seems to be double faults creeping in.
One here allows Uchijima into the game and the Japanese smokes backhand down the line to draw level at 30-30.
A backhand from Raducanu lands in the net and Uchijima has another break point in this set.
Uchijima doesn’t capitalise. Deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 3-6 0-2 Moyuka Uchijima
Raducanu hasn’t quite found her range on court and has been punished when going too short.
Uchijima is doing a better job at grinding through rallies but Raducanu isn’t letting this match go.
She fights from 40-15 down and brings the game to deuce by working her opponent side-to-side.
If Raducanu though the door to a break was slightly ajar, Uchijima makes sure she slams it shut with two fiery forehands to hold serve.
Emma Raducanu 3-6 0-1 Moyuka Uchijima*
So, into the second set and Emma Raducanu needs to find another level.
She starts well and takes the first point of her service game. Uchijima responds with a nice drops shot though and draws level at 15-15.
A lucky bounce off the tape gives Uchijima another point. Raducanu is struggling as loses the next rally and must now defend two break points.
The first is saved as Uchijima flicks a volley that was heading wide.
A double fault gives the game to her opponent.
SET! Emma Raducanu 3-6 Moyuka Uchijima
Raducanu hooks a forehand out of play to gift a set point to Uchijima.
The Japanese player takes the set after Raducanu powers a backhand over the back of court.
Uchijima weathered the conditions well and she claims the opening set!
Emma Raducanu 3-5 Moyuka Uchijima*
Uchijima is serving to win the first set now. The first point goes against her as she sends one too long.
Raducanu then wins the net rally with a passing winner by smoking a backhand down the line.
The Brit fails to get a return of serve back to put Uchijima on the board before another error brings the game to 30-30.
Emma Raducanu 3-5 Moyuka Uchijima*
Better from Raducanu. She roars and pulls out the fist pump after bringing the next game level at 15-15.
A long forehand return from Uchijima sends the ball over the back of court.
Both women trade points before a double fault from Raducanu sets up another break point.
Uchijima whips a strong forehand across court and takes the game!
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 3-4 Moyuka Uchijima
Uchijima will be flying high right now. She’s taken four games in a row and is seemingly handling the conditions better.
Yet, her next service game starts with two shots going long before an under hit forehand lands in the net to set up three break points for Raducanu.
The Brit breaks on her first attempt!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 2-4 Moyuka Uchijima*
Oh! What a rally.
Uchijima is forced onto the defensive and a long, long rally sees both women come forward, retreat, switch the play and loft the ball into the wind.
Raducanu takes the point with a blistering backhand and that should make her feel good.
However, Uchijima has better range and is utilising the errors Raducanu is making.
The game draws level at 30-30 before Raducanu gives up two consecutive points and Uchijima has another break of serve!
*Emma Raducanu 2-3 Moyuka Uchijima
The first set is back on serve after Uchijima broke back against Raducanu.
The Brit hasn’t quite got used to judging the wind and his hitting a few shots too long when she tries to add some power.
If she can sharpen up the accuracy Raducanu can control this match. For now though, Uchijima takes the lead with a hold of serve gifted to her.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 2-2 Moyuka Uchijima*
Raducanu falls 0-30 behind thanks to a forehand that lands too far left of the sideline.
She folles up with an ace to get on the board but miscues a simple return into the net to give up two break points.
A fine backhand puts her opponent on the back foot and Raducanu approaches the net for a drop shot volley winner.
She still has one break point to save but can’t as Uchijima launches a passing winner past her.
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