Young guns fire into action at the ASB Classic

The young stars fired into action on the second day of the ASB Classic in Auckland. 

Great Britain’s US Open Grand Slam champion, Emma Raducanu took some time to wind up against the uber-talented 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE) before booking her spot in the second round 4-6 6-4 6-2. 

Later in the night, top seed Coco Gauff dispatched experienced German Taijana Maria 6-4 6-1 in straight sets, with players coping with swirling winds and a bunch of drizzle, that resulted in several short rain delays. 

Raducanu moved into the round of 16 after dropping the opening set to the aggressive Fruhvirtova, before squaring the battle, and then came back strongly after a further stoppage to show her aggressive best from the back of the court to claim the honours. 

The 20-year-old said she felt at home with considerable support from the crowds who packed out the ASB Tennis Arena. 

The 18-year-old top seed Gauff was aggressive, moving into the net often to volley her way to a 6-4 6-1 win Germany’s Tatjana Maria, not giving her more experienced opponent the chance to work her way into the match. 

They also had to manoeuvre two rain delays, although Gauff’s biggest issue seemed to be if she should change her outfit. 

She was pleased with the first outing and the support from the Auckland crowd especially at the start of their clash. 

Raducanu will be back in action on Wednesday although Gauff has a day off. 

Earlier Viktoria Kuzmova (SVK) accounted for fourth seed Bernarda Pera (USA) 6-4 6-4 while Anna Blinkova edged Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-5 in the deciding third set of their clash. 

Kiwi Erin Routliffe battled back into her singles clash bravely against Roumania’s Elena-Gabriela, through the rain delays, only to lose her final service game that would have earned a deciding tiebreak. Ruse prevailed 6-2 4-6 6-4. 

There will be some catch-up required with four matches moved to Wednesday morning, with an earlier 10am start planned while organisers will be hoping that forecasted significant wet weather manages to bypass the region over the next few days.