Emma Raducanu demonstrated impressive resilience at the Hobart International, rallying from an overnight second-set deficit to defeat Camila Osorio of Colombia 6-3, 7-6 (2) in her rain-delayed first-round match. The victory marks Raducanu’s first win since September after struggling with a foot injury that hampered the end of her 2025 season.
Raducanu had contested just one match this season, losing in three sets to Maria Sakkari in the United Cup. Facing Osorio, the top seed in Hobart was locked in a tough battle when rain suspended play with Raducanu trailing 2-4 in the second set. Upon the restart, she transformed her game, stepping inside the baseline to dictate play and winning seven of the last nine games.
“These ones mean so much more,” Raducanu said after the match. “It’s such a fine line between winning and losing a match like that. It can easily affect your whole mood, your whole days, your whole weeks. This is a very good day for sure to stack up.” She will face Australian wildcard Taylah Preston in the quarter-final after second-round opponent Magdalena Frech withdrew due to injury.
Raducanu’s off-season has included adjustments to her technique, particularly lengthening her forehand swing to generate more pace and spin. She acknowledged the challenge: “Very, very difficult match. We played under all conditions and coming on, coming off, a few times, it was really difficult. I’m just really pleased with how I came out today and turned it around.”
