Emma Raducanu overcame serve problems to upset 26th seed Ekaterina Aleksandrova to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
The 22-year-old made 15 double faults but rallied to claim her best win at Melbourne Park, seeing off 31st-ranked Russian Alexandrova 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2).
Radučanu's win saw five British players through to the second round, equaling the record for the most chances to enter.
Raducanu, who missed the Asian swing with a sprained ligament in her foot and then the warm-up in Auckland with a back problem, said: “My aim this year is not to go too high or too low, to keep it pretty level. Even after today it's great win the tour for a few months, I think I just want to look at it, celebrate it for what it is, and just move on.”
Radučanu's enduring popularity was evidenced by the large queues outside Court 3 as the match kicked off under cloudless skies in Melbourne.
The former US Open champion's serve is flowing and her first two service games have seen her hit five aces and four double faults.
From there, the balance was skewed to the negative side and heading into the tiebreak she was winning less than 10 percent of her second serve points, while her double fault tally was nine, including three in one game at 4-4.
Aleksandrova, a big hitter with a relentlessly negative demeanor, broke serve four times in a row but proved just as challenging to sustain her delivery, with Raducanu's return game in fine form.
Raducanu was upset in the tie-break from 4-2 to 4-4, but won only the third point of the set on the second serve at a crucial moment thanks to a wayward return. A forehand return drilled into the corner brought the set.
Radučanu seemed to have found her way on serve, and another break by her opponent brought the British no. 2 straight away to dominate in the second set.
She survived three more double faults at 3-2, turning to coach Nick Cavaday for advice, and was broken at 4-3, but surged forward again and left herself serving for the match.
At 30-0, she was two points away, but she couldn't make a match point, and another double fault sent Aleksandrova back on serve.
Radučanu then had to save a set point to force a tie-break, but it was almost error-free from there, with a final double fault on her first match point the only blemish.
“Honestly, I'm not sure what I changed in my service today. I think she had her opinion. I'll make sure to think about it, look into it and get back to you,” she told reporters.
“I hit a lot of good first serves in the first set. I hit a couple of aces. At the same time I made a double fault. I pretty much took it, okay, at least I'll get it.
“As the balls got harder, it was a lot harder. As more came, it wasn't easy to refocus, but I knew even if I fell, I had great returns.”
“It was good that I was able to rely on other parts of my game today that I know are pretty strong,” added Raducanu, who also served nine aces.
“I'm just proud that I didn't let it affect me too much and let the match get away from me.”
Radučanu will next face a fellow teenage prodigy Amanda Anisimovawho took time out of the game due to her mental health after reaching the semifinals of the 2019 French Open.
“I know he's a great striker,” Radučanu said. “I've practiced with her a few times. She likes to dictate. So I think it's going to be a big challenge for me.”
Norrie could not contribute to the British success in Melbourne
Cameron Norrie suffered a first round loss to Matteo Berrettini
Cameron Norrie was unable to contribute to the Brits' victories, suffering a first-round loss to former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
It was a tough draw for another Briton, with Berettini a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park three years ago and returning to the rankings after injury problems.
The Italian smashed 32 aces and recovered from a set down to win 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 6-1 6-3.
Norrie saved a set point at 5-6 in the opener before mounting a fine comeback in the tie-break, winning six points in a row from 4-1 down.
But from there the pressure on his serve told, Berettini took five of 13 break points in the last three sets, while Norrie failed to convert any of his five chances in the match.
Reaching the fourth round was the highlight of a difficult 2024 season for Norrie, who will now fall out of the top 60.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream from NOW and The Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Learn more here.