Emma Raducanu banished her Madrid Open demons of last year as she overcame Suzan Lamens in straight sets to kick off her clay campaign.
Raducanu had to recover from a break down in both sets to claim a 7-6 6-4 victory at the Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, showing grit 12 months on from first-round heartache in the same competition, where she suffered arguably her worst loss of 2024 to Maria Carle.
With “informal” coach Mark Petchey at courtside, the Brit survived three break points in the ninth game of the first set to force a tiebreak, which she won 7-4 to draw first blood in the Spanish capital.
With the pressure on Lamens, the Dutchwoman became increasingly frustrated as her service game deteriorated, something which was punished by Raducanu as she took the second set 6-4, booking her place in the second round and setting up a clash with Ukraine’s Mata Kostyuk, the 22nd seed.
Follow live updates from Raducanu’s clash with Lamens below:
Emma Raducanu vs Suzan Lamens LIVE
- Emma Raducanu kicks off her Madrid Open campaign with win over Suzan Lamens
- GAME, SET & MATCH! Raducanu holds firm to win the second 6-4 and progress to the second round
- SET! Raducanu comes through to win the tiebreak 7-4 and take the first
- Raducanu to play 22nd seed Marta Kostyuk in second round
Report: Emma Raducanu marks return to action with straight-sets win at Madrid Open
17:00 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu marked her return to action with a straight-sets win over Suzan Lamens at the Madrid Open.
The 22-year-old took a break from the WTA Tour following her run to the Miami Open quarter-finals last month, swapping tournament action for a training block ahead of the clay-court swing.
It appeared to pay dividends as she opened her campaign in the Spanish capital with a 7-6 6-4 win over Lamens.
Emma Raducanu marks return to action with straight-sets win at Madrid Open
Mark Petchey liked what he saw
16:45 , Will Castle
The secret to Emma Raducanu's uptick in form?
16:30 , Will CastleWhen in Madrid, do like the Madristas! ⚽️
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) April 23, 2025
Emma Raducanu showing off her football skills before heading onto court 💥 pic.twitter.com/oy0ZdVqCqU
Emma Raducanu progresses to second round in Madrid Open
16:15 , Will Castle
Next up for Emma Raducanu
16:00 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu will no doubt enjoy her hard-fought victory over Suzan Lamens today, but focus will quickly change to the next challenge at hand.
After booking her place in the second round of the Madrid Open, she has set up a clash with Ukraine’s Mata Kostyuk, the 22nd seed.
It’s a player she’s beaten in Madrid before, and she’ll hope to do it again as she looks to continue in fine stead in the Spanish capital.
Emma Raducanu banishes Madrid Open demons to overcome Suzan Lamens
15:45 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu is up and running in Madrid 🔥🇪🇸
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) April 23, 2025
She comes from a break down to claim both sets and take the win over Suzan Lamens 👇 pic.twitter.com/BeTzcRQN23
GAME, SET & MATCH! *Emma Raducanu 7-6 6-4 Suzan Lamens
15:30 , Will CastleRaducanu forces to Lamens to go wayward on her second serve, bucking the trend of falling behind at the beginning of service games.
She then goes just short with a deft drop shot but drills an ace to get back on track, before a strong forehand gives her a match point...
She gives her second serve the beans, and LAMENS GOES LONG! Raducanu claims victory after a tightly-fought battle in Madrid!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-6 5-4 Suzan Lamens*
15:25 , Will CastleOnce again, the game starts in favour of the returner, with nine of the last ten points going against the server.
Great work on the approach with Raducanu’s backhand as she forces Lamens to net and secures a 15-40 lead.
Lamens hits back but once again fires into the net to give Raducanu yet another break of serve!
The Brit will now be serving for the match...
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 7-6 4-4 Suzan Lamens
15:21 , Will CastleLamens has bounced back in incredible fashion here, taking 0-40 lead on defence.
Raducanu gets back a point, but a ferocious strike on the forehand does the damage and seals the break.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-6 4-3 Suzan Lamens*
15:17 , Will CastleLamens’s service game has deteriorated as she blows three advantages, the second coming via double fault.
A wonderful backhand down the line gives Lamens a fourth shot at holding serve. Raducanu is once again able to take control with her back against the wall, forcing a fifth deuce.
A sixth advantage goes the way of Lamens, and ANOTHER double fault befalls her! She looks to be deflating after such an extended game.
Raducanu utilises a change of direction and earns her first break point of the game, with Lamens smashing her racket to the clay in frustration.
The Brit takes her chance and secures the break! That could be the defining game.
Emma Raducanu 7-6 3-3 Suzan Lamens*
15:10 , Will CastleA game of two screams.
First point goes the way of Lamens, who is then stunned by a thunderous Raducanu winner as she drills a forehand from far behind the bassline to level, and celebrates with a shout.
Lamens responds with two great points of her own, and on both occasions tries to match the decibel level recorded by Raducanu moments earlier.
With the game of 40-30, Raducanu refuses to give in the chance to break and brilliantly levels to force deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 7-6 3-3 Suzan Lamens
15:05 , Will CastleLamens takes the first point, forcing Raducanu to come from behind on serve once again.
She manages to level before forcing Lamens from one corner to the other, scuffing her forehand as she raced over.
Raducanu then fires an ace to put her in control, before a knifed backhand slice downs Lamens to seal the game.
Probably Raducanu’s best service game so far.
Emma Raducanu 7-6 2-3 Suzan Lamens*
15:00 , Will CastleAfter a tame service game in the last, that was much more like it from Lamens.
She holds to love.
*Emma Raducanu 7-6 2-2 Suzan Lamens
14:59 , Will CastleLamens wins the opening point before Raducanu produces a strong second serve to get on the board.
The Dutchwoman retakes the lead before Raducanu takes advantage of a Lamens error.
Raducanu then hits an ace to get her on track and eventually holds to level things up.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-6 1-2 Suzan Lamens*
14:52 , Will CastleRaducanu once again goes up 0-30 on defence, forcing two quick errors from Lamens.
But instead of blowing her advantage, she gives herself three break points by wrong-footing the Dutchwoman.
And there’s no fightback to speak of from Lamens, who nets her shot and throws away her break moments after working so hard to get it.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 7-6 0-2 Suzan Lamens
14:50 , Will CastleLamens is looking more and more dangerous. She completely wrong-foots Raducanu to start the second, drilling a forehand down right to take the lead.
Another emphatic return and a Raducanu mishit follow and suddenly Lamens has three break points.
Raducanu gets a point back but then gets her drop shot all wrong, hitting it beyond the tramline and giving Lamens an early break!
What a response!
Emma Raducanu 7-6 0-1 Suzan Lamens*
14:44 , Will CastleLamens takes the advantage but fluffs the chance to hold, producing a double fault to keep Raducanu’s hopes of an early break alive.
She then carves open the court with a wonderful forehand and has another chance to hold, and this time succeeds - drilling a forehand at Raducanu who had come to the net, forcing her volley to go long.
Emma Raducanu 7-6 0-0 Suzan Lamens*
14:42 , Will CastleGreat start from Raducanu in the second set, already putting pressure on the opening service game as she goes 0-30 up.
Lamens does well to make sure things don’t snowball, recovering to bring the game back to 30-30.
However, an excellent return from Raducanu keeps the pressure on, giving her a break point.
The Dutchwoman positions herself nicely to open up the court, drilling a backhand cross-court to force deuce.
SET! Emma Raducanu 7-6 Suzan Lamens
14:36 , Will CastleLAMENS GOES WIDE! Raducanu seals the first set with a 7-4 victory in the tiebreak!
Having been on the verge of falling to a second break in the ninth, that will feel like a massive boost for Raducanu’s hopes of progression today.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-6 Suzan Lamens
14:34 , Will CastleRaducanu’s done brilliantly here. Two more points on her own serve and she’s on the verge of taking the first set, sitting nicely at 6-3 in the tiebreak.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-6 Suzan Lamens
14:33 , Will CastleBig opportunity for Lamens to break serve as Raducanu fires a weak effort into the middle of the court, only for Lamens to respond with a wayward backhand.
Lamens then does manage to break, but it’s immediately met by a Raducanu response on defence, who picks up two points on Lamens’s serve to a passionate reaction.
Raducanu goes 4-3 up.
TIEBREAK! Emma Raducanu 6-6 Suzan Lamens
14:29 , Will CastleRaducanu holds serve to start things off but Lamens responds with two of her own, smashing past the Brit to take a 2-1 lead in the tiebreak.
Emma Raducanu 6-6 Suzan Lamens*
14:28 , Will CastleAn aggressive, deep second serve catches Raducanu by surprise as Lamens takes the lead.
The Dutchwoman nets a backhand before firing an exquisite forehand down the line that goes far out of Raducanu’s reach.
Another deep effort from Raducanu goes long, before Lamens drills into open space to force the tiebreak.
*Emma Raducanu 6-5 Suzan Lamens
14:23 , Will CastleA much more comfortable service display from Raducanu as she goes 40-15 up, forcing a high and long return off the back of her first serve.
She misses a first opportunity to hold with an unforced error with the backhand, but makes no mistake with the smash opportunity that arises in the following point.
One last chance for Raducanu to prevent a tiebreak.
Emma Raducanu 5-5 Suzan Lamens*
14:19 , Will CastleLamens could have easily been serving for the set here. Instead, she comes out having to ensure Raducanu doesn’t break to take the first, and is under enormous pressure.
But after losing the first point, the Dutchwoman recovers magnificently, with a fantastic backhand catching Raducanu with a change of pace.
With the score 40-15, Raducanu fires a backhand into space to give herself hope of a break, but a powerful Lamens serve ensures the hold.
A loud, feisty reaction from Lamens.
*Emma Raducanu 5-4 Suzan Lamens
14:15 , Will CastleLamens fluffs a third break point and is eventually punished by Raducanu.
After hanging on by a thread, she secures a game point before Lamens gets too over her forehand and hits into the net.
After saving three break points, that’s a massive hold for Raducanu.
*Emma Raducanu 4-4 Suzan Lamens
14:13 , Will CastleLamens starts on the front foot against Raducanu’s serve, with a cross-court forehand landing right on the line to give the Dutchwoman a 0-30 lead.
She goes long to allow Raducanu to chip away at the advantage, but the Brit produces a wayward shot to give Lamens two break points.
Raducanu is able to recover, however, with an extended rally at 30-40 going her way despite failing to dispatch Lamens with the overhand.
She forces deuce.
Emma Raducanu 4-4 Suzan Lamens*
14:05 , Will CastleBetter from Lamens to start off her service as she forces Raducanu into a high shot, which is expertly dispatched by the Dutchwoman. Looking up into the sun, that was harder than it may have appeared.
Much improved serving follows and she holds the game.
*Emma Raducanu 4-3 Suzan Lamens
14:02 , Will CastleWayward backhand goes flying wide from Lamens to get Raducanu on the board, with the Dutchwoman looking a little flustered after that poor service game.
Raducanu follows up with a wonderful ace before another terrific first serve forces a short reply - a simple backhand near the net and the Brit leads 40-0.
Lamens snatched a point back but is forced into another weak return, which is punished by Raducanu who retakes the lead.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 3-3 Suzan Lamens*
13:58 , Will CastleOff the back of a break, Lamens doesn’t start in the best stead as she concedes a double fault. She then immediately makes up for her error with an ace.
Raducanu responds by firing a short second serve past before forcing Lamens forward and placing it through the gap to give her two shots at a break of her own.
And it’s another double fault from Lamens! Raducanu hits back.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 2-3 Suzan Lamens
13:55 , Will CastleRaducanu and Lamens trade backhands as the Brit forces the Dutchwoman into a corner and eventually an error.
She goes 30-0 up but fluffs her advantage, with Lamens doing brilliantly on her return of service to leave Raducanu a break point down.
Another fantastic return down the line just stays in and Lamens draws first blood.
That’s the third time in three games Raducanu has gone 30-0 up before forfeiting that lead.
Emma Raducanu 2-2 Suzan Lamens*
13:50 , Will CastleLamens forces Raducanu to defend on the bassline off the bat and finishes the first point with an emphatic smash.
Three strong serves follow and Lamens is able to seal a swift game to little response from Raducanu.
*Emma Raducanu 2-1 Suzan Lamens
13:47 , Will CastleRaducanu starts well to force an error off her second serve but fires into the net to halve her advantage to 30-15.
Lamens continues to put the pressure on, showing off the dangers her forehand poses.
But with Raducanu leading 40-30, the Brit produces a delightfully angled forehand of her own to edge ahead.
Emma Raducanu 1-1 Suzan Lamens*
13:42 , Will CastleRaducanu threatens to break early on as she works her backhand nicely, drawing a couple of errors from Lamens and taking a 0-30 lead.
Just like in the opening game, Lamens is able to draw the contest back to 30-30 - and while Raducanu fires to earn a break point, Lamens produces a deft drop shot to draw deuce.
Another extended rally sees Lamens come out on top as Raducanu hits her forehands into the net.
Two close games to start things off.
*Emma Raducanu 1-0 Suzan Lamens
13:37 , Will CastleRaducanu fires a fantastic shot across court to give herself a quick 30-0 lead, but a double fault eats into that early advantage.
Lamens works her hard and forces deuce, but Raducanu is eventually able to hold the opening game.
*Emma Raducanu 0-0 Suzan Lamens
13:31 , Will CastleLamens wins the toss and elects to receive. We are underway in Madrid!
*denotes next server
Emma Raducanu on next
13:22 , Jamie BraidwoodBelinda Bencic has dispatched Zeynep Sonmez 6-0 6-2 so Emma Raducanu will be next up. In fact, the players have just walked out onto court in the Madrid sunshine.
Katie Boulter dismisses Emma Raducanu ‘pressure’ in British rankings battle
13:15 , Will CastleBritish No.1 Katie Boulter believes she does not feel any pressure at the Madrid Open as Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal climb the world rankings.
‘I'm very comfortable in the seat that I am and I know that every single person has a different journey,” the 28-year-old told the BBC.
“My journey is not going to be compared to anyone else's – I'm proud of that.”
Katie Boulter dismisses Emma Raducanu ‘pressure’ in British rankings battle
Who is Mark Petchey?
13:00 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu broke new ground at the Miami Open, and she did so thanks to the help of a couple of old faces in the box.
One of these was Mark Petchey, a former coach of Andy Murray and now a well-known commentator and broadcaster on the Tennis Channel.
Currently detailed as an “informal”, short-term solution to Raducanu’s turbulent coaching setup, Petchey keeps his place in the box for the Madrid Open after helping guide Raducanu to her best run since her US Open triumph of 2021.
Jamie Braidwood delves deeper into Petchey’s presence following success in Miami:
Who is Mark Petchey? Emma Raducanu turns to Andy Murray’s old coach at Miami Open
Suzan Lamens eager to avenge Billie Jean King Cup heartache for Netherlands
12:45 , Will CastleSuzan Lamens was on the losing side of April’s dramatic Billie Jean King Cup clash with Emma Raducanu’s Great Britain, despite picking up a win for her nation.
Lamens beat British No.1 Katie Boulter in straight sets to send the tie into a deciding doubles match in The Hague.
But with Boulter brought back alongside Jodie Burrage by captain Anne Keothavong in a change to her original pairing, Great Britain dominated Lamens and Demi Schuurs to take a spot in September’s eight-team finals.
Britain’s victory was all the more impressive having played without Emma Raducanu, who chose to withdraw to focus on her training ahead of the clay-court swing.
Emma Raducanu explains her ‘less is more’ approach ahead of Madrid Open return
12:40 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu believes her “less is more” approach will pay off as she returns to action at the Madrid Open following a mid-season break.
Raducanu reached the quarter-finals of the Miami Open last month in her best tournament run since winning the US Open in 2021.
The 22-year-old required medical attention during her defeat to Jessica Pegula, and subsequently pulled out of the Great Britain squad for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
But Raducanu is back for the WTA 1000 event in the Spanish capital, where she will continue her “informal” coaching arrangement with Mark Petchey, and she believes the “reset” will have helped.
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Emma Raducanu explains her ‘less is more’ approach ahead of Madrid Open return
Emma Raducanu might be in action sooner than expected
12:29 , Will CastleAfter Mariano Navone battled past Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets to get things going at the Arantxa Sanchez Stadium, Belinda Bencic has got off to an absolute flyer against Zeynep Sonmez.
She’s 4-0 up in the first set and is threatening to make extremely quick work of her opponent.
With Emma Raducanu next up on the order of play, it might be a good idea to start thinking about warm-ups.
Emma Raducanu to continue ‘informal’ coaching set-up with Mark Petchey
12:15 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu is to continue working with coach and commentator Mark Petchey on an “informal” basis, rather than hunting for a permanent coach.
The British No. 2 had Petchey in her box at the Miami Open last month, alongside friend and mentor Jane O’Donoghue, with the more relaxed coaching set-up seeming to pay off as Raducanu reached her first-ever WTA 1000 quarter-final in Florida.
She has not played since losing to eventual finalist Jessica Pegula in the last eight, opting for a training block to “look after her body” rather than joining Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team in the Netherlands earlier this month.
Emma Raducanu to continue ‘informal’ coaching set-up with Mark Petchey
What is the Madrid Open draw?
12:00 , Will CastleWhoever wins will play Ukraine’s world No. 29 Marta Kostyuk, who has a first-round bye, in the second round, with world No. 1 and two-time Madrid champion Aryna Sabalenka a potential quarter-final opponent.
Katie Boulter won her first-round match against Olympic mixed doubles champion Katerina Siniakova and will play world No. 7 Jasmine Paolini in the next round.
In the men’s draw, Jack Draper is seeded fifth and will play either Tallon Griekspoor or a qualifier in his opening match, with Italy’s Matteo Berrettini a possible third-round opponent and Novak Djokovic looming in the quarter-finals.
Cameron Norrie, who has dropped down to British No. 3 with Jacob Fearnley’s rise up the rankings, opens against home favourite Martin Landaluce and will aim to set up a second-round tie with Czech talent Jiri Lehecka, who Norrie recently beat in Indian Wells. New Monte Carlo champion Carlos Alcaraz could await in the third round for the winner.
Is Emma Raducanu vs Suzan Lamens on TV? How to watch Madrid Open clash
11:50 , Will CastleViewers in the UK can watch the Madrid Open on Sky Sports. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
The tournament runs from from April 22 to May 4 and is a combined WTA and ATP event.
When does Emma Raducanu play in Madrid?
11:40 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu and Suzan Lamens are the third match scheduled on Arantxa Sanchez Stadium, after Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Mariano Navone from 11am, and Belinda Bencic against a qualifier, which will take place not before 1pm local time.
Raducanu and Lamens will likely take to the court around 2.30pm local time, 1.30pm BST, but possibly later if the previous matches significantly overrun.
Emma Raducanu vs Suzan Lamens LIVE
11:30 , Will CastleGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Emma Raducanu’s clash with Suzan Lamens in the Madrid Open.
Raducanu kicks off her clay-court campaign in the Spanish capital after missing the clay event in Rouen, hoping to continue in fine stead after a superb run at the Miami Open.
She takes on Dutch player Lamens, who beat Raducanu’s GB teammate Katie Boulter in their Billie Jean King Cup singles’ encounter earlier in April.
Follow for all the build-up and live match updates.
