• First clay-court match of the season is 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory
• ‘Not my best level but I competed really well,’ says Briton

Emma Raducanu opened her Madrid Open campaign with a gritty victory against a quality, in-form opponent, holding off Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands 7-6 (4), 6-4 to reach the second round.

Over the past three-and-a-half years, as Raducanu has tried to navigate the pressure, stress and ­discomfort that accompanied her spectacular arrival, there have been times where it seemed like she might find her way. Those hopeful moments were usually fleeting, with a series of tough losses, injuries or a self-sabotaging decision always around the corner.