Emma Raducanu swept apart Canada’s Rebecca Marino within the first set earlier than grinding her method by the second to place Nice Britain 1-0 up in opposition to defending champions Canada within the quarter-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup.
Raducanu triumphed 6-0 7-5 within the opening rubber in Malaga on Sunday, profitable 100 per cent of factors on her first serve in a one-sided first set and likewise slamming eight forehand winners.
The 22-year-old needed to present her battling qualities in a second set that lasted over an hour, warding off the seven break factors a much-improved Marino carved out.
Nonetheless, Raducanu broke the world No 103 within the eleventh sport after which closed out victory by holding serve within the subsequent.
Britain will arrange a semi-final in opposition to Slovakia on Tuesday if Katie Boulter defeats Leylah Fernandez within the second singles encounter.
Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson will crew up if Boulter is overwhelmed and a deciding doubles match is required.
‘It’s an honour to be representing my nation’
Raducanu returned to motion on Friday for the primary time since damaging foot ligaments in September, beating Germany’s Jule Niemeier 6-4 6-4 in Britain’s first match on the Billie Jean King Cup, earlier than Boulter booked the crew’s spot within the final eight.
After beating Marino, the 2021 US Open champion stated: “It was an extremely troublesome match as a result of the dynamics have been so totally different in every of the units.
“Within the second set, Rebecca actually upped her stage and served nice.
“I am more than happy with how I managed to fend off my very own break factors, sneak that break and shut it out.
“Once you’re taking part in a big-serving opponent like Rebecca, you realize there may be a lot emphasis on every serve.
“My Billie Jean King Cup performances have introduced excellent issues out of me and I feel it’s the similar for everybody.
“All of us simply battle additional onerous, dig in a little bit bit. It’s an honour to be representing my nation.”
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