Emma Raducanu avoided any slip-ups on No.1 Court, producing a professional performance on Monday against wild card Mimi Xu, which lasted just under 90 minutes.

The British No.1 served well and won 75 per cent of points behind her first delivery to ensure that, after breaking the 17-year-old's serve in the first game, she would be in control - where she remained throughout her 6-3, 6-3 victory.

Raducanu also produced a miserly 12 unforced errors alongside her 25 winners, and moved well despite some lingering issues with her back.

"I'm super pleased to come through that match - it's so difficult to play another Brit first round," she said.

"I had some really good patches and then I had some moments where I lost my focus. I'm really happy how I toughed it out."

With Xu making her senior Grand Slam debut, the former US Open Champion was ready for her opponent to swing without fear.

As it turned out, experience won over youth and Raducanu is into the second round for the fourth straight year.

"It's my favourite tournament so far and I'm so happy to get another match here," she said.

The 2023 Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova, lies in wait.

 

Earlier, Raducanu's regular opponent in their junior days, Sonay Kartal, became the first British player to win at this year's Wimbledon.

Kartal, 23, enjoyed a thrilling 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory over the No.20 seed, Jelena Ostapenko - sweet revenge for a defeat by the former Roland-Garros champion at Eastbourne last week.

"It was by far one of the toughest matches I've played. I struggle against the big hitters," she said.

Kartal reached the third round here in 2024 - her favourite tournament to date.

"I left here last year feeling a much more confident player, on and off the court. I knew that my level was there."

Kartal's next  opponent will be Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova, who was a set and break up on twice Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur when the Tunisian tearfully retired, following treatment from the medical team.