Emma Raducanu has expressed her relief at avoiding a humiliating conclusion to her hard-fought match against Caroline Garcia after celebrating victory too early. The Brit produced a splendid comeback to draw Great Britain level with France in their Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie on Friday.
Raducanu was under pressure after Diane Parry thumped British No 1 Katie Boulter 6-2 6-0 earlier in the day in Le Portel.
The 21-year-old trailed by a set and a break as her lack of time on the clay court due to her relentless injury struggles looked to be taking its toll.
However, she then discovered another gear to produce a selection of scintillating serves, ferocious forehands, and rapid returns and claw her way into control.
In the dying embers of her 3-6 6-3 6-2 triumph, Raducanu prematurely commenced her celebrations after moving 5-1 ahead in the deciding set.
After losing the following game to the world No 23, she maintained her focus to complete the comeback and avoid embarrassment, which left her delighted and undoubtedly relieved.
“It’s very difficult to play Caroline, who has been having such a good run, such a good season, and I was completely the underdog, I think, especially going out here in her house on clay,” Raducanu explained after the match.
“I definitely turned it around. I think I fought really hard; I dug in. That was a really good test for myself because I haven’t had those level matches very often.
“I’m very pleased with my performance, and I’m very, very happy to bring this point home for the team and go into tomorrow at 1-1.”
She added: “Honestly, I did the same earlier in the match [celebrate too early]. I think, second game of the match, I was going back like it was deuce or something, and I’d won the game. It was 1-1.
“I think sometimes I’m just super locked in that I don’t really get the score. So I’m not sure what happened, but it was quite embarrassing.
“All I was thinking was, honestly, if I lose this right now, I’m going to look like a right muppet. So I’m very happy that I managed to pull it through in the next game.”
Raducanu will hope to build on her momentum in Saturday’s reverse singles games as the best-of-five tie draws to a close.
The former US Open champion will face Parry, while Garcia is up next for Boulter to help determine Anne Keothavong’s side’s fate.
Victory in the tie would seal passage into November’s Finals, where reigning champions Canada, 2023 runners-up Italy, hosts Spain, and wild card Czechia wait.
