Emma Raducanu is back on court this evening as she takes on Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
It will be the first match the Briton has played since she was interrupted on court during her clash with Karolina Muchova by a “fixated man” in the crowd at the Dubai Open.
Raducanu was shaken by the incident, and has only just return to training ahead of this tournament where she hopes to string together some good performances as preparation for the Miami Open later in the month.
The winner of the match between Raducanu and Uchijima, who is ranked 52 in the world, will face world No 3 Coco Gauff in the second round. The only previous meeting between the two came in Seoul in 2022 and Raducanu came out on top.
Follow all the latest updates from Indian Wells as Emma Raducanu targets a place in the second round:
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima LIVE
-
Emma Raducanu takes on Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells, live on Sky Sports
-
Pair clash in first round with winner set to face America's Coco Gauff
-
Raducanu won previous meeting with Uchijima in 2022
Jacob Fearnley vs Joao Fonseca
21:15 , Mike Jones
The first match on Court 1 has finished with Joao Fonseca beating Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-2 1-6 6-3.
Emma Raducanu is up next and should be heading to court shortly.
When is Emma Raducanu playing?
21:10 , Mike Jones
Emma Raducanu is scheduled to play second on Stadium 1.
The first match of the day, between fellow Briton Jacob Fearnley and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca, is set for 11am PT (7pm GMT), and Raducanu v Uchijima will not begin before 1pm PT (9pm GMT).
Emma Raducanu vs Moyuka Uchijima
21:07 , Mike Jones
Emma Raducanu returns to action at Indian Wells and takes on Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round of the prestigious tournament in California.
Raducanu will be playing for the first time since her ordeal in Dubai last month, where the 22-year-old faced an approach from a “fixated man” in the crowd as she took on Karolina Muchova.
Raducanu was shaken by the incident but has decided to return for the start of the “sunshine double” at Indian Wells, which is then followed by the Miami Open later in the month.
The winner of the match between Raducanu and Uchijima, ranked 52 in the world, will face world No 3 Coco Gauff in the second round, with the American receiving a bye.
Raducanu won her only previous meeting with Uchijima, which came in Seoul in 2022.
Good evening!
21:02 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s tennis action as Emma Raducanu begins here Indian Wells campaign.
She’s up second on Court 1 and follows fellow Brit Jacob Fearnley who is locked in a decisive third set against Brazil’s Joao Fonseca.
We’ll have all the coverage of Raducanu’s match throughout the night so stick around to see if she can reach the second round.
