However the momentum swung in Stephens’ favor within the second set because the American broke Raducanu on three events to stage Tuesday’s match.
Battling via some lengthy rallies within the ultimate set, Raducanu moved right into a 5-Zero lead and went on to wrap up the match simply earlier than midnight (eight a.m. ET) in Melbourne.
“Each me and Sloane actually put all the pieces on the market and gave all of it we had,” Nice Britain’s Raducanu mentioned throughout her on-court interview.
“I believed it was a very high-quality match with some very lengthy rallies. I am very comfortable to have come via in opposition to such a fantastic champion like her.”
In December, she examined constructive for Covid-19 forward of an exhibition occasion in Abu Dhabi and returned to motion in Sydney earlier this month.
Her subsequent match on the Australian Open shall be in opposition to Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, with two-time grand slam champion Simona Halep a possible opponent within the third spherical.
One other British participant, Andy Murray, additionally acquired off to a successful begin on Tuesday as he outlasted Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1 3-6 6-Four 6-7 6-4.
Taking part in in his first Australian Open since 2019, Murray beat Basilashvili for the second time within the area of every week having additionally triumphed in Sydney within the build-up to the Australian Open.
This time, the three-time grand slam champion exhibited the identical grit and resolve that has characterised Murray’s taking part in profession.
“It has been a troublesome, powerful three, 4 years. Put in a number of work to get again right here,” mentioned Murray, who thought-about retiring after the Australian Open three years in the past earlier than present process career-saving hip surgical procedure.
“That is the one the place I believed doubtlessly I performed my final match, however wonderful to be again successful a five-set battle like that. Could not ask for any extra.”
There was additionally a straight-sets victory for residence favourite Nick Kyrgios in opposition to Britain’s Liam Broady to arrange a second-round conflict in opposition to Medvedev.
