Raducanu beats weather to win first singles match of 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu has overcome wind and rain in a match which stretched over almost four hours to beat Linda Fruhvirtova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in her first singles match of 2023 at the ASB Classic. The match was twice interrupted by rain and the second delay in the deciding set forced the players from the court for almost an hour. Raducanu now will face qualifier Viktoria Kuzmova in the second round. Top-seeded American Coco Gauff also had to contend with two lengthy rain delays before beating Germany’s Tatjana Maria 6-4, 6-1.