Eastbourne: Emma Raducanu says emotional reaction to win was because she received ‘some really bad news’

Emma Raducanu said her emotional reaction to her first-round victory at Eastbourne was because she received “some really bad news” before the match.

British number one Raducanu wrestled control of a topsy-turvy second set against Ann Li before finishing strongly to win 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-1.

The 22-year-old, who had trailed the American by a set and a break, held back tears after securing victory.

Coach Mark Petchey and Raducanu’s Billie Jean King Cup team-mate Fran Jones were both courtside for the match.

“I’d prefer to not go in to, if that’s OK, but I just received some really bad news so I’m trying to overcome that in the background,” Raducanu told BBC Sport.

“Mentally, in the first set, I wasn’t really present. Fran Jones was there for me because she’s a good friend of mine, so she knows what’s going on behind the scenes.

“Having her support me was so meaningful.”

Having still managed to keep her Wimbledon preparations on track, Raducanu will meet Australian teenager Maya Joint for a place in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Speaking in her on-court interview, Raducanu said: “I want to thank the crowd for getting me through some really sticky moments.

“It really meant a lot to me and I’m really proud of how I fought back after losing the first set.

“It was tough, it was up and down. But from the middle of the second set I think I found another gear and another level.”