Emma Raducanu lifts lid on 'mental' opponent change after being forced to act fast

's plans were thrown off course on Friday when she learned that Ekaterina Alexandrova, the 21st seed she was preparing to face in the Italian Open second round, and been replaced by lucky loser Jil Teichmann.

It was a "mental" few hours for Raducanu, who was busy practising with world No. 7 Mirra Andreeva when the news broke. Not only did the Brit have more experience against Alexandrova - they had met twice this year already - but her new opponent was left-handed, making it even harder to change up her tactics.

There was little Raducanu could do except take to the court and get used to her new opponent, and she did just that. The world No. 49 needed an hour and 22 minutes , reaching the third round in Rome for the first time in her career.

Although it looked like smooth sailing for the former US Open champion, she confessed that it was difficult to regroup when she found out she would be playing Teichmann.

"I mean, to be honest, it was pretty mental," Raducanu told Sky Sports.

"I was warming up for my match against Alexandrova and I was practising with Mirra and all of a sudden I get told I'm playing Jil and then on top of that she's a lefty so it is a complete different challenge."

It may seem like a subtle difference but there are fewer left-handers on the tour and, as Raducanu explained, it can be tough to get in reps against them.

She continued: "I honestly haven't practised much with a lefty, haven't played one since [Marketa] Vondrousova in February in Abu Dhabi.

"It was a challenge and first few games I was adjusting to how the ball curls but I'm really proud of myself how I fought through.

"Jil, she's so good, especially on clay. This is her favourite surface, I feel like. I'm really proud of how I kind of came through that."

While former No. 21 Teichmann is experienced on the clay, Raducanu is still finding her feet on the surface. Between the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Madrid Open, she did not play a single match on the surface.

After reaching the third round in Rome for the first time, the British No. 2 confessed that she still wasn't accustomed to clay.

"I still don't really feel comfortable but in a way I guess it helps me because I have to be super focused on every single point, just to get my feet right, try and not fall over," she explained.

"It is a big challenge and the balls are long and the balls do get heavier. When I was serving it out, it was getting slower and slower so it is physical. I think I'm slowly finding my feet."