Emma Raducanu made history with her 6-3, 7-5 victory over Amanda Anisimova at Kia Arena, propelling the British contingent at the Australian Open 2025 to a record-equalling achievement. The first round of the tournament saw a record six wins for British players, and Raducanu’s triumph ensured that the British players continued their strong performance in Melbourne, matching the milestone of having three players – male and female combined – reach the third round, a feat previously accomplished only in 2013, 2017, and 2023.
Raducanu’s success followed the impressive performances of Jack Draper and Jacob Fearnley earlier in the week, with Fearnley notably defeating Nick Kyrgios. Unfortunately, Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage were eliminated after losses to Jana Fett and Coco Gauff, respectively. Burrage put up a solid fight against Gauff and nearly forced a second-set win, but ultimately could not maintain her momentum. Despite the loss, Burrage’s first-round victory over Leolia Jeanjean demonstrated her potential as a rising talent in the sport.
After her win, Raducanu offered a special shout-out to her close friend Katie Boulter. The 22-year-old British star replicated Boulter’s trademark celebration during a key moment in her match, signaling the bond between the two players. “I don’t know if Katie saw that,” Raducanu said with a smile. “If Katie saw that, she might have a little word. I think she’s the OG of that one. We have a good relationship, so I’m sure she won’t mind me using it in clutch moments.”
Boulter had the chance to break new ground for the Brits at the Australian Open but fell short in a hard-fought battle against Veronika Kudermetova, losing 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-2. While the British contingent fell just short of full glory, the tournament remains one of the best showings for British players in recent years.
For Raducanu, this marks her first appearance in the third round of the Australian Open, an achievement she had not previously reached at a hard-court Grand Slam since her sensational 2021 US Open victory. Despite limited match preparation leading into the tournament, Raducanu showed no signs of rustiness. Her first-round win over Ekaterina Alexandrova featured a standout performance with nine aces, demonstrating her serve power.
Next up for Raducanu is a challenging encounter with world No. 2 Iga Świątek. Raducanu has lost all three of their previous meetings, but she will look to reverse that trend and secure a breakthrough win.
Jack Draper has faced a tougher path in his Australian Open campaign, battling through back-to-back five-set matches against Mariano Navone and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Despite the challenges, Draper has proven his resilience, having won three of his four career five-set matches in Grand Slam events. He now faces Aleksandar Vukic in his first third-round appearance at the Australian Open.
Meanwhile, Jacob Fearnley made significant strides in 2024, climbing an impressive 547 places in the ATP rankings, from No. 646 to No. 99. In his second main draw appearance at a Slam, Fearnley claimed a notable victory over Nick Kyrgios and then triumphed over Arthur Cazaux. The second-seeded Alexander Zverev now awaits him in the next round.
While Raducanu, Draper, and Fearnley face tough opponents in the upcoming third round, the British players have certainly made their mark at the Australian Open 2025. Their performances stand as a testament to their hard work and determination, making this campaign one of the most memorable in recent British tennis history.
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