Emma Raducanu vs Ena Shibahara LIVE: Tennis scores and updates from Nottingham Open
Follow all the live action from Emma Raducanu’s return to grass ahead of Wimbledon this summer
Emma Raducanu beat Ena Shibahara in straight sets on her first game on grass for over 700 days at the Nottingham Open.
The 21-year-old made the most of the home advantage, taking the first set 5-1, and then despite a small falter at 5-1 up in the second when she was broken twice in succession, she fought back to win the match.
Raducanu skipped the French Open to focus on her fitness, but said she was in a good place ahead of the Nottingham Open, and showed some of what she is capable of in her first match, where she served four aces and wrapped up victory in an hour and 10 minutes.
Ons Jabeur is also in action and the former Wimbledon finalist takes on Camila Osorio later today.
Andy Murray will begin his grass court season in Stuttgart as his Wimbledon preparation could also be the start of a farewell, and he has previously indicated this could be his final season before retirement.
Defending champion Katie Boulter edged past Harriet Dart yesterday, with the latter left furious after a line call. Dart offered a £50,000 bet to the umpire in the ill-tempered affair.
Relive all the action from Nottingham below plus the latest from Stuttgart as Andy Murray returns:
Dan Evans vs Dominic Stricker
Stricker has just slid awkwardly and might have injured himself here.
After a lengthy pause he gets gingerly to his feet, but is still receiving treatment.
The big question facing Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek after French Open titles
Iga Swiatek called it a “huge challenge”, while Carlos Alcaraz wanted to enjoy his third grand slam title before turning his mind to emulating Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
On the women’s side, there is Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams. Between them, it is a list of tennis legends and all-time greats – but a select group, too. They are the only players in the Open era to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same summer.
The Roland Garros-Wimbledon double, or the Channel Slam, as it is sometimes known, is notoriously difficult to accomplish. Only the most consummate players have mastered the switch from clay to grass after the French Open and the transition between different surfaces while being successful on both, especially for those who go deep into the tournament in Paris.
It may not be as hard as it used to be, given there are now three weeks between the grand slams rather than two, as well as the changing nature of grass and how it plays, but it’s still among the toughest tests in the sport.
The big question facing Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek after French Open titles
The Roland Garros-Wimbledon double is notoriously difficult but Alcaraz and Swiatek proved they are special champions during their French Open campaigns
Dan Evans vs Dominic Stricker
It’s three games apiece in the final deciding set between Stricker and Evans in Nottingham, and pair seem to be going toe to toe.
Raducanu will not be able to get out on court until the conclusion of this match.
Dan Evans vs Dominic Stricker
Emma Raducanu is up next at the Nottingham Open but first the match between Dan Evans and Dominic Stricker needs to reach its conclusion.
Britain’s Evans took the opening set 6-3 before Stricker won the second 6-4. Currently in the third set, Evans leads 3-1.
Britain’s Heather Watson set to learn whether Olympic doubles push has paid off
Heather Watson says she has sacrificed her singles career for the past 12 months in order to focus on doubles in a bid to qualify for a fourth Olympics.
The 32-year-old will find out in the next few days whether she has done enough to be part of Team GB in Paris later this summer.
Watson would play with British number one Katie Boulter in the women’s doubles and then most likely Joe Salisbury in the mixed doubles.
Britain’s Heather Watson set to learn whether Olympic doubles push has paid off
Watson would play with British number one Katie Boulter in the women’s doubles and then most likely Joe Salisbury in the mixed doubles.
Raducancu on her improved fitness
Emma Raducanu faces Japan’s Ena Shibahara in the Nottingham first round today and says she is ‘really healthy, really strong’.
“Body-wise, physical-wise, I feel really healthy. I feel really strong,” said Raducanu, who played her first WTA match at Nottingham in 2021 before going on to win the US Open later that year.
“I’ve done amazing work with my trainer over the last few months, since surgery. I’m in a really fit place. I think my wrists are actually in a better position than they ever were.
“So there’s zero doubt or apprehension whether I’m hitting the ball or designing my schedule. It’s more about being proactive and not wanting to put yourself in any unnecessary situations.”
Andy Murray considers Wimbledon doubles campaign with brother Jamie
Andy Murray is considering playing doubles with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon.
Murray and Dan Evans’ scratch pairing was shortlived after they were beaten in the first round of the French Open.
But the two-time Wimbledon champion fancies another crack at SW19 this summer and might reprise his Davis Cup-winning partnership with his elder sibling.
Andy Murray considers Wimbledon doubles campaign with brother Jamie
Murray and Dan Evans were beaten in the first round of the French Open.
Which other events is Andy Murray playing this summer?
Andy Murray opted not to defend his title in Surbiton, but is set to play both Queen’s and Eastbourne ahead of the year’s third grand slam, which starts on July 1.
The two-time Wimbledon winner appears ready to partner his brother Jamie for the first time in the men’s doubles at SW19.
Jack Draper on defeating Sebastian Ofner
Jack Draper triumphed in a tight contest against the big-serving Sebastian Ofner, winning two tiebreaks to take a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5) victory in Germany.
“When it came down to it, I’m glad I competed really hard & got over the line. It’s good to be back on the grass,” Draper said during his on-court interview.
“I played point by point and I gave myself the best chance to win the game.”
Draper will face Andy Murray in the next round if Murray manages to beat Giron this afternoon.
Jack Draper sets up possible tie with Andy Murray at Stuttgart Open
Jack Draper got his grass-court season off to a winning start and set up a possible meeting with Andy Murray at the Stuttgart Open.
The British number two, ranked 40 in the world, began preparations for his home grand slam at Wimbledon with a straight-sets win over Austrian Sebastian Ofner on Monday.
It was a tight contest against the big-serving Ofner, with Draper coming out on top in two tiebreaks to take a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (5) victory in Germany.
Jack Draper sets up possible tie with Andy Murray at Stuttgart Open
The British number two began preparations for his home grand slam at Wimbledon with a straight-sets win over Austrian Sebastian Ofner on Monday.
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