\n<\/p>\n
During her Miami run, Raducanu spoke regularly about showing “resilience” to win matches and needed to demonstrate that quality again in her first clay-court match in a year.<\/p>\n
Lamens, ranked 73rd in the world, is a combative player who has improved sharply over the past year and is more than comfortable on the surface.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, she beat British number one Katie Boulter in the Billie Jean King Cup tie that Raducanu missed to “rest” her body after a packed start to the season.<\/p>\n
Raducanu was often unable to cope with Lamens’ thumping forehand in the opening set but recovered from a break down – and saved three more break points in the ninth game – to drag her opponent into a tie-break.<\/p>\n
Another measure of the 2021 US Open champion’s improved mentality has been her impressive recent record in these situations – and showed it again.<\/p>\n
Petchey was sat in her box alongside Raducanu’s long-time ally Jane O’Donoghue, regularly offering praise and encouragement at crucial junctures.<\/p>\n
Raducanu played more aggressively in the second set but also had to dig deep as Lamens tried to pin her back behind the baseline.<\/p>\n
There were flashes of brilliance from the Briton, too, after she had adjusted to the fast clay conditions created by Madrid’s altitude.<\/p>\n
A running forehand down the line and another thunderous winner piled on the pressure as Lamens failed to hold serve in a lengthy seventh game.<\/p>\n
However, it was not a straightforward path to victory. Raducanu shakily lost serve for 4-4 before a frustrated Lamens wobbled again and allowed the Briton to secure another confidence-boosting victory.<\/p>\n
“I needed to fight and pull through some really difficult moments,” Raducanu added.<\/p>\n
“When your opponent is hitting great shots it is easy to get frustrated and think ‘oh my God, they’ve hit the line so many times’. <\/p>\n
“But I had to reset and accept that she’s good, here for a reason and playing amazing tennis.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n