Emma Raducanu secured her first victory of the season at the Hobart International on Wednesday, coming from behind to beat Camila Osorio 6-3 7-6 (7-2) after rain suspended their match on Tuesday. The British 23-year-old had won the first set but was trailing 4-2 in the second when play was halted.
Raducanu returned the following day and overturned the break deficit, letting out a roar of delight as she sealed the straight-sets win. Top seed Raducanu avoided a potentially taxing schedule after her second-round opponent, Magdalena Frech, withdrew due to injury. She now faces Australian wildcard Taylah Preston in the quarter-final on Thursday as part of her Australian Open preparations.
“Very, very difficult match. We played under all conditions and coming on and off a few times was really difficult,” Raducanu said. “I don’t think I’ve slept over many matches in between so that was a new one for me. I thought Camila played an incredible match. I’m just really pleased with how I came out today and turned it around.”
The win over world number 82 Osorio was Raducanu’s first since September, following an early end to her 2025 season due to injury. She also faced a disrupted off-season because of what she described as light bone bruising on her right foot.
Raducanu’s match against Sakkari at the United Cup marked her second outing of the year and came just two weeks after she returned to full practice. Despite the interrupted conditions and a 4-1 second-set deficit, she demonstrated resilience and ensured a positive start to her campaign in Hobart.
The Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Sunday, giving Raducanu a chance to build momentum ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
