Emma Raducanu vs Ann Li: Score and latest updates from Eastbourne Open

Telegraph

6 hours ago

* denotes server
Latest updates
Richard Aikman.
24 June 2025 3:19pm
3:19PM
Raducanu 4-5 Ann Li*
This is a intriguing battle between both players – the American holds to love. The British No 1 is now serving to stay in the opening set.
Can Raducanu keep her composure?
3:16PM
Raducanu* 4-4 Ann Li
Raducanu's back seems to be holding up – as she serves up an ace and races ahead 30-0.
This would only happen at Eastbourne, her next serve is interrupted when a seagull flies across the court in Raducanu's eyeline. The crowd seem to have enjoyed that comical moment and both players raise a smile.
However, Raducanu keeps her composure and holds serve to 15.
3:13PM
Raducanu 3-4 Ann Li*
The British No 1 has really raised her game here – she steps into Li's serve and sends an undefendable return. But the American is un-phased and sprints to the net. She puts Raducanu under pressure – the British No 1 goes wide with her forehand on the next point.
Li is really struggling with her second serve which Raducanu's punishes – it is deuce. But then the American is able to hold as Raducanu's lob attempt is blown out of the court by the wind.
A brilliant battle between both players.
3:08PM
Raducanu* 3-3 Ann Li
Raducanu's confidence is building here – as she goes for bigger and more powerful shots.
However, she nets her forehand allowing the American to draw level at 30-30. A brilliant serve out wide from Raducanu – takes her to game point and she fistpumps once again to the Eastbourne crowd – they are loving this.
Li goes wide with her backhand return and we are all square in this opening set.
3:03PM
Raducanu 2-3 Ann Li*
The British No 1 is overcoming her inauspicious start to this match. She sprints to net and chases down the American's drop shot and returns it past Li.
Li then finds the net with her backhand and the British No 1 roars with a fistpump as she races ahead 30-0.
What a shot from Raducanu – a sublime backhand winner earns the Briton another break point. Can she make this count? Yes she can, as Li nets.
3:00PM
Raducanu* 1-3 Ann Li
The Eastbourne crowd are delighted, as Raducanu produces the first ace of the match with a brilliant serve – Li had no chance of returning that.
Things are looking a lot brighter for the British No 1, as she holds to 15 and is starting to assert herself in this match.
2:57PM
Raducanu 0-3 Ann Li*
The British No 1 starts well and races ahead 40-0 on the Li serve. Here we go, three break points for Raducanu – a well-timed backhand drop shot.
However, two mishit cross court shots from the British No 1 means she wastes the first of two break points. Raducanu finds the net and it is deuce – she will be kicking herself.
The American rescues the game with a forehand winner and she has taken real control of this opening set.
2:52PM
Raducanu* 0-2 Ann Li
A comfortable break for Li – her forehand is proving to be a real weapon but Raducanu is giving the American too much on time on it.
An extended rally won by the American after well-time backhand drop shot – the crowd at Eastbourne goes silent as Li is on her way to three break points.
She takes the second as Raducanu goes long with her forehand return.
2:46PM
First set: Emma Raducanu 0-1 Ann Li* (*denotes server)
A positive start from the British No 1, who forces Li to deuce as the American goes long with her backhand after a lengthy rally.
Brilliant ball striking from both players – but Li gets some luck as her forehand catches the net and it drops dead for Raducanu.
Then, the British No 1 goes wide with her forehand on the next point and Li is able to hold.
2:33PM
Raducanu on court
Now the focus turns to Raducanu and Li!
Raducanu's performance at Queen's was certainly encouraging and she should have enough to get past Li, against whom she has never played.
Li, the world No 64, started the year well with wins over Daria Saville and Anna Kalinskaya en route to a finals run in Singapore and says grass is her favourite surface, but she has a win-loss record of 15/13.
The players have just been introduced and we will be underway shortly at Eastbourne.