Emma Raducanu produced a brilliant comeback to stun France바카라s Caroline Garcia and draw Great Britain level at 1-1 in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier in Le Portel. (More Tennis News)
Britain were staring at a 2-0 deficit and almost certain defeat when Raducanu trailed in-form world number 23 Garcia by a set and 2-0 after Katie Boulter had been thumped 6-2 6-0 by Diane Parry.
But Raducanu, back in the team for the first time in two years after injury, showed once again what makes her a hugely special talent by fighting back to claim a 3-6 6-3 6-2 victory for her first top-30 win on clay.
Speaking on the BBC, the former US Open champion said: 바카라I was completely the underdog, especially going out here in her house, on clay. I definitely turned it around. I fought really hard, I dug in.
바카라That was a really good test for myself because I hadn바카라t had those level matches very often. I바카라m very pleased with my performance and I바카라m very, very happy to bring this point home for the team and go into tomorrow 1-1.바카라
The 21-year-old is inexperienced on clay but said again ahead of the tie that she feels it could be a good surface for her, and this was her best victory for more than a year.
The power of Garcia, who recently defeated Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka at the Miami Open, helped her edge a high-quality opening set, and the 30-year-old looked in control when she broke serve again to start the second.
But Raducanu, who beat Garcia in Indian Wells in 2022 before losing to her at Wimbledon, met fire with fire, dialling up the aggression on her forehand in particular and turned the momentum around with a run of five games in a row.
The Kent player, ranked 302, saw the funny side after she celebrated a game short of victory at 5-1, but she kept her head impressively and looked delighted when a final volley earned her the spoils.
바카라It was quite embarrassing,바카라 said Raducanu of her mistake. 바카라All I was thinking was, 바카라If I lose this right now, I바카라m going to look like a right muppet바카라. I바카라m very happy that I managed to pull it through.바카라
Earlier, Boulter바카라s inexperience on clay showed as she lost 12 games in a row against fast-rising 21-year-old Parry.
Boulter has had an exceptional season so far but this was only the 17th match of her career on clay and her first at tour level.
The British number one, ranked 28, told reporters: 바카라I have to get better on the clay. It바카라s such a learning experience and it바카라s a really good learning experience for me.
바카라I know my base level is there and that I can play some really good stuff. Practice has been awesome. The scoreline was tough but I felt it was a lot closer than it seemed.바카라
Both captains must decide whether to make changes for Saturday, with Boulter scheduled to take on Garcia first up before Raducanu faces Parry.
Three wins are needed to clinch a place in November바카라s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville, and France would be strong favourites if it came down to a deciding doubles.
